Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Johannesburg, T20I
Bhuvneshwar Kumar

In the last six-seven years or so, India’s reputation as a force to reckon with in overseas conditions had taken a beating. In the last decade, India had drawn a Test series in Australia, South Africa and had won series in England and West Indies.

However, the overseas performance dipped in this decade. They suffered heavy defeats in England, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. They were looking set to suffer a similar fate in the ongoing tour of South Africa too after losing the first two Tests.

However, things changed dramatically after the win in the inconsequential third Test. The Virat Kohli-led side thrashed the Proteas 5-1 in the ODIs to give the nation its first bilateral series win in South Africa.

The Indian dominance continued on Sunday (February 18) too as they defeated the hosts by 28 runs in the first Twenty20 International in Johannesburg.

South Africa used the tried and tested method against the tourists at the start of the innings. The hosts peppered India with short bowls in the first six overs.

However, the plan clearly backfired as the visitors registered their highest score ever in powerplay in T20Is after posting 78. India went on to post a daunting 203 for 5. In reply, South Africa were restricted to 175 or 9.

SA vs IND, 2018: Bhuvneshwar Kumar sheds light on India's overseas stature
Dhawan scored 72 off 39 (Credits: BCCI)

Speaking after the game, Bhuvneshwar spoke on India’s overseas reputation and how the team has dealt with short ball well this time.

“Whenever India goes abroad, reputation is India is not good at batting against short bowling. So, this time, we haven’t seen that thing. We have really tackled it well. Today they bowled 5-6 short overs to us early on and it really backfired on them,” he remarked.

SA vs IND, 2018: Bhuvneshwar Kumar sheds light on India's overseas stature
The 28-year old with the Man of the Match award (Credits: BCCI)

“Whatever the reputation we had, in the last few years we are playing totally opposite of that. We have managed the short ball pretty well on this tour. They wanted to bowl short but it didn’t really work well for them. (When) Something doesn’t work for you, you have to come up with something else (plan b), so that’s what probably worked to our advantage,” added Bhuvneshwar who picked up 5 for 24.

SA vs IND, 2018: Bhuvneshwar Kumar sheds light on India's overseas stature
Bhuvneshwar picked up 5 for 24 (Credits: BCCI)

With India continuing to pile on the misery on the hosts ever since their revival in the third Test, the right-arm pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar sympathised with the opposition.

“We lost the first two Test matches and then we came back. The momentum was on our side and if momentum is on your side, you have got to make it count,” he said.

 

“Credit has to go the team, the way we played in every department. If you look at the one-day series and now, yes they’ve been vulnerable but South Africa is not that kind of (a) team. It happens to any team in the world when things don’t go your way or plans don’t fall in place but that doesn’t mean they’re a weak team or they’re not a good team,” Bhuvneshwar concluded.

Here is the news feed:

Suresh Raina Enjoys His Time with Teammates After Convincing Victory in 1st T20I

Virender Sehwag Lauds Team for a Thumping Start to Their T20I Campaign in the Rainbow Nation

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