IND vs SA: India Need To Identify What It Is Going To Take For Them To Fight For 40 Overs – Zaheer Khan After India's Defeat At Barabati Stadium

Former India left-arm pacer Zaheer Khan feels that the India National Cricket Team need to have some “tough conversations” after the defeat in the second T20I against South Africa and they need to identify what will it take for them to fight for 40 overs.

India are down 0-2 in the five-match T20I series against South Africa. In the first game at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, India scored 211 runs but the bowlers failed to defend the total and India lost the match.

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In the second game at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, India scored 148 runs and Bhuvneshwar Kumar managed to dismiss Reeza Hendricks, Dwaine Pretorius and Rassie van der Dussen in the powerplay still India lost the match.

Notably, Temba Bavuma and Heinrich Klaasen had a 64-run partnership after the powerplay and in the end, Heinrich Klaasen played a stunning knock of 81 runs off 46 balls, including 7 four and 5 sixes, to help South Africa win the match.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was outstanding, but they have not been able to close out games – Zaheer Khan

Speaking after the game, Zaheer Khan said that the Indian players are not able to fight till the very end and they have failed to close out the games on several occasions.

Zaheer further lauded Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who finished with 4 wickets in his bag and gave away just 13 runs in his 4-over quota in the second T20I. Also, the former India pacer opined that India are under tremendous pressure and they have some concerns in the team.

“When the partnership was building (Klaasen-Bavuma), you could feel that the drive in the India team was going down. It was evident on the field. Those are the things Rahul Dravid and Co. need to address and do it quickly because there is only one day in between (before the 3rd T20I). They need to regroup, have some tough conversations, and identify what it is going to take for them to fight for 40 overs,” the left-arm pacer said in a discussion with Cricbuzz.

“Even in the first match, for 30 overs, you thought India were in the driver’s seat. Today again, they had the ideal start with the ball. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was outstanding, but they have not been able to close out games. Some concerns for India going forward in the series and a lot of pressure,” he further added.

Also Read: IND vs SA: Twitter Reacts As South Africa Defeat India By 4 Wickets In 2nd T20I To Continue Their Dominance

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