Indian team could not start the three-match ODI series against the hosts South Africa after the KL Rahul-led side had to concede a 31-run defeat in the first ODI of the series on January 19 (Wednesday).
Indian opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan, who was the highest run-scorer for his side (79 runs off 84 balls) felt that the Indian middle order could have performed better and not having a big partnership proved costly for the Indian team.
‘A good start’
“We had a good start and I feel the wicket was slow, it was offering a bit of turn as well. So, when you are chasing (around) 300 runs, when the middle-order comes to bat, it is not easy to play shots.
“Our wickets fell in a heap and that had an impact on us as a batting unit. Of course, from our team we did not have a century and we did not have a big partnership," Dhawan said at the virtual post-match press conference.
No Iyer
Plenty of talks had taken place regarding the skipper’s decisions and one of the most discussed topic was not using Venkatesh Iyer’s bowling skills against the Proteas. The 29-year-old made his debut in the ODIs against South Africa but surprisingly did not get a chance to exhibit his bowling prowess.
Dhawan felt that the team did not need Iyer as the spinners “did well” and “there was some turn in the wicket.”
“We didn’t need him because the spinners did well and there was some turn in the wicket. Fast bowlers were mostly used at the end. In the middle-overs when the wicket was not falling, our thinking was to bring back the main bowlers to get the breakthrough but we couldn’t do that. Then, in the end, it was important to bring our main bowlers, like our spinners,” explained the left-handed batsman.
While talking about his team’s defeat, Dhawan pointed out that “it was not easy” for the new batsmen to make runs.
“It wasn’t easy for the new batsmen to make runs, the plan of the set batsmen was to take it deep, but unfortunately I got out, didn’t expect the turn, but yes that happens."
The Indian team will take on the hosts in the second ODI of the series on January (Friday).
