SA vs IND, 2018: Ottis Gibson believes Team India 'exposed' the Proteas

India won their first ever One-day International series against the Proteas in South Africa. Following the clinching of the fifth ODI at the St. Georges Park in Port Elizabeth by 73 runs on Wednesday (February 14).

India has been formidable in the limited overs format in the last one-and-half-year. The hard-working unit has faced the minimal competition from any team they faced.

South Africa, on the other hand, has been struggling with their form both with the bat as well as the ball.

The Proteas have been unlucky as some of the key players have got injured just before the start of the six-match ODI series on February 1.

With AB De Villiers ruled out of the first three fixtures, the team suffered another setback when their skipper Faf Du Plessis was also ruled out of the ODI series. He suffered a finger injury after smashing a ton in the first ODI.

The host suffered another blow when their wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton De Kock was also ruled out of the ODI and T20 series.

The Proteas middle-order struggled against the Indian spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. The spin duo has picked up 30 wickets in all. Both have been the main architects of South Africa’s dismal run in the ODI series.

Except for the Pink ODI (fourth) which the home side won. In nutshell, the South African batsmen have been unable to read the two wrist spinners.

South African coach Ottis Gibson said that the Indian completely exposed them which has left him with a lot to think. Gibson said:

“You take three of your best batsmen out of any team, they will struggle and when you do it against a very strong Indian team it has exposed us. I’ve told the lads in the dressing room that we will not make excuses but will try and get better. We have got a good hiding from India, let us not kid ourselves about that, but it has also given us a lot of food for thought going forward,” 

“I know we have been focusing on the World Cup, but I don’t think the team that will go to that tournament is the one that you saw tonight,” Gibson added. 

Gibson also praised the Indian wrist spinners and said that the South African batsmen have a year to prepare themselves to face them in the World Cup, “They might spin it anywhere, but we have got a year to learn with that stuff.”

Here’s the news feed:

SA vs IND 2018: Virat Kohli Loves Hardik Pandya’s Attitude: Shaun Pollock

SA vs IND, 2018: Was extra motivated to wrap up the series – Yuzvendra Chahal