Bhuvneshwar Kumar gave nothing away to the batsmen, Says Reeza Hendricks

South African opener, Reeza Hendricks, was in all praise for Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s  impeccable line and length in the Johannesburg Twenty20 International opener of the three-match series on Sunday (February 18).

The right-arm fast bowler Bhuvneshwar was the pick of the bowlers in the match as he clinched a five-wicket haul.

The prominent face in the bowling set-up for India, Bhuvneshwar conceded just 24 runs in his quota of four overs.

After putting in to bat, India registered a mammoth target of 203 in front of the home side on a featherbed. Bhuvneshwar picked up the wickets of JJ Smuts and Jean-Paul Duminy up front with the new ball.

India’s premier seam-bowling all-rounder, came back-to-bowl a decisive 18th over of the game. He conceded only five runs but eventually affected four dismissals in the over.

“He (Bhuvneshwar) was just consistent in his areas which was pretty much giving us nothing to score off. So we had to be happy with ones and twos at that time,” claimed the T20I specialist Hendricks for South Africa.

Reeza Hendricks further affirmed that it was India’s performance during the powerplay which turned out to be decisive for the result of the game.

India scored 76 runs in their powerplay and but conceded only 48 with the ball and also clinched three major wickets during the phase.

“They just executed their plans well and kept it very simple. That’s pretty much it compared to what we did. Obviously, their power play was much better than ours. Looking back now that’s where we lost it,” added Reeza Hendricks according to TOI.

Hendricks On his knock of 70 off 50 deliveries

With wickets falling at the other end, Hendricks held one end up and stitched a vital partnership of 81 with Behardien. His knock of 70, gave an outside chance to the host before the opener succumbed to a knuckleball from Bhuvi.

“Conditions were very good for batting. But Indians bowled really well. So I started slowly and then I had to get myself in and like I said, take it as deep as possible, with the wickets falling around. I managed to do that but would have loved to see the team home,” elaborated Hendricks about his knock.

“As an opening batsman, we obviously try to get a start, try and capitalise in the first six and then take it deep as possible. They obviously bowled well, we lost a few wickets so that meant obviously we had to stabilise the innings and build a few partnerships and try to take it as deep as possible,” concluded Hendricks.

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