'Humne gaaliyan khaai thi' - Munaf Patel reveals how MS Dhoni's men made Gary Kirsten apologize to Team India

Former Indian pacer Munaf Patel recalled the nail-biting encounter at Johannesburg's Wanderers Stadium, where Team India held their nerve to secure a thrilling 1-run victory over South Africa in the second ODI of the five-match ODI series back in 2011.

Opting to bat first, India posted a modest total of 190 runs in their 50 overs, thanks to Yuvraj Singh’s very crucial 53 runs and MS Dhoni’s 38 runs against South Africa. Lonwabo Tsotsobe was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with impressive figures of 4/22 in his 10-over spell for South Africa.

Munaf Patel recalls India's iconic ODI victory over South Africa in 2011

Defending the below-par total of 191 runs for victory, India had a brilliant start as Munaf dismissed Hashim Amla for just 4 runs in the second over. But then South African skipper Graeme Smith led from the front with a solid 77 runs off 98 balls.

However, regular breakthroughs from India's bowlers kept the hosts in check. Munaf emerged as the hero with the ball, claiming 4 wickets for 29 runs, including the crucial wicket of Smith, which shifted the game in India's favor.

Despite Smith's efforts and contributions from Colin Ingram (25) and David Miller (27), South Africa faltered at the end, as Patel dismissed Morne Morkel and Wayne Parnell in the 43rd over to win the game for India.

India's bowling attack displayed remarkable discipline, with Zaheer Khan also picking up two crucial wickets. Munaf Patel's match-winning performance earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match award for his pivotal role in defending a modest total.

This match will be remembered for Munaf Patel's heroics with the ball and India's ability to defend a modest total against a formidable South African lineup in a high-pressure encounter in Johannesburg. Now, after 13 years, the former pacer has recalled the match.

Gary Kirsten had to apologize after we won: Munaf Patel

Munaf Patel said in a video posted on X: “We had targeted around 300 runs and were batting well, but suddenly we faced a collapse. Our coach, Gary Kirsten, scolded us a lot and said that if you want to play cricket like this, then you must go home and there is no place in international cricket to play cricket like this.

We were pumped up. He was angry with us, but he was pumping us up. Then, we were like this: we had to fight for this match. We have to tell the coach that we can win the match in this situation. We planned that we would do whatever it took to win this game, and then the coach would have to apologize if they won the game.

Patel said that Graeme Smith’s wicket changed the momentum of the game. The former cricketer said that Smith was an experienced player and South African captain, and he was set, so it was a big wicket for Team India. He further recalled that there were only two wickets left, and Dhoni asked him what to do.

What was Munaf's plan?

Patel said, “When MS Dhoni asked what we should do? I said if we take the fielder inside, there is a chance. If we keep the fielder out, the ball will go from the gap for a boundary. The match will be tied straight away. It is better to take the fielder inside the circle. We will try to do our best.”

The former cricketer mentioned that there was pressure and they had to prove themselves in front of the coach, Kirsten, so that he could apologize in the evening. India had never won a series in South Africa, and it was time for the World Cup.

Patel signed off by saying, “We thought that we would win the series for the first time and go to the 2011 ODI World Cup on a different level. However, we lost the ODI series 3-2. We played that match in excitement and won, and the coach had to apologize later.”

Kisko Kisko ye match Yaad he ???
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— Munaf Patel (@munafpa99881129) J<!---->u<!---->l<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->8<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4