IND vs SA: Ashish Nehra Criticises Rishabh Pant For Not Bowling Axar Patel In First Half Of The Chase

Former Indian pace bowler Ashish Nehra opined that spin bowler Axar Patel should have been brought early into the bowling during the second T20I between India and South Africa at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Sunday (June 12).

South Africa defeated India by four wickets in the second T20I to inch closer to series triumph in the five-match series. Heinrich Klaasen, who kept the wickets in the absence of regular wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, played a quintessential hand for the visitors in the tricky chase of 149.

Heinrich Klaasen guides South Africa to a four-wicket win in the second T20I

Despite Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar running through the Proteas batting order upfront in the chase with three wickets in the Powerplay overs, Klassen stood firm at the crease and resurrected their innings alongside skipper Temba Bavuma.

Klaasen pressed the accelerator button in the 64-run partnership with Bavuma, who scored 35 off 30 balls with four boundaries and a six. The duo saw the threat of Bhuvneshwar’s fiery spell and brought South Africa back into the game.

Klaasen took the toll on the Indian spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Axar, leaving no stone unturned to maximise the scoring opportunities against the pair. Klaasen smashed Chahal for a total of three sixes and a boundary in their enticing battle, mostly dominated by the South African.

Axar was introduced in the 12th over of the chase and Klaasen took him to the cleaners with a couple of fours and a six over deep mid-wicket as the left-arm spinner conceded 19 runs from his lone over of the game.

Don’t see any reason why Axar Patel was not given an over at that time: Ashish Nehra

Klaasen brought up his fourth T20I half-century in 32 balls and finished at 81 from 46 deliveries with seven fours and five sixes, striking over 176 as South Africa completed the chase with 10 balls to spare.

Nehra believes Pant should have handed the ball to Axar early in the middle overs when Klaasen was struggling to connect with his bat.

“Rishabh Pant also needs to take a look. He held back Axar Patel for so long. There were two right-handed batters at that time. I don’t see any reason why Axar Patel was not given an over at that time,” Nehra said on Cricbuzz.

India will play South Africa in the third T20I on Tuesday (June 14) at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.

Also Read: IND vs SA: It Looked Very Difficult With The New Ball – Heinrich Klaasen