After a promising start from India, Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje took control of the game and both openers appeared to be of some difficulty.
It’s common for the scoreboard to disclose what is suggestive and hide what is crucial. Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad are unlikely to open for India in their first T20 World Cup game against Pakistan at the MCG in the final week of October. To be sure, this series will be the first of its type to show what life would be like in the future if and when we lose Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli. According to Ruturaj Gaikwad, he and his teammates are willing to abandon the outdated safety-first attitude that cost India the World Cup last time around.
Despite Kishan’s fifty and their apparent resolve, Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje seemed uncomfortable while they were in action.
Express deliveries did cause issues, and two of Gaikwad’s three sixes did not appear controlled.
When Kagiso Rabada bowled his first over, it appeared as if the ball was slamming into the bat, rather than the bat striking the ball.
Gaikwad was unable to put the bat to the ball after Rabada delivered at an upward 140-click pace that was short of excellent length. It was Rabada who sped up the track and defeated him every time he tried to race down it.
Kishan and Gaikwad were in a heap of trouble as Nortje revved it up and seemed even quicker than Rabada.
Most of the trouble was being caused by deliveries that had been slanted in or straightened somewhat after pitching.
During Gaikwad’s first six, he had no idea where the ball went. Despite the fact that the CSK star was unable to control his hook shot, it sailed behind square for a six thanks to the sweet spots in today’s bats.
Kishan edged one off Rabada’s next delivery, which was full, and squared up the batsman. Kishan was given the opportunity to play through the area even though the catch was not deliberate in T20, unlike in ODI, where a slip is required to be stationed for at least 10 overs.
It looked as though Gaikwad and Kishan were stockpiling loose deliveries, hoping to make a quick buck when they arrived. In the end, the Proteas were unable to overcome the trio of Tabraiz Shamsi, Keshav Maharaj, and Dwayne Pretorius.
On certain days, it might work, but after the early jitters, Rahul Dravid will be re-evaluating the situation to see if his team can regularly combine intent with skill when facing high-quality quick bowling.
