Klassen would not have been able to play in Cuttack if Quinton de Kock had not been injured in the previous match. Maybe the South African team management committee also could not think that Klassen would play such an innings. Especially on this pitch.
This pitch of Cuttack is a low bounce. The ball has been lowered occasionally. The new ball also swung with that. That is why batting was not so easy. After a terrifying opening spell by Bhuvneshwar, the match went to India’s side. But at five, Klassen changed everything. The rest seemed to be playing on one pitch, and this wicketkeeper-batsman was playing on another pitch.
Klassen’s charisma
Klassen went on the attack from the very beginning. He was very strong on the back foot. He also played the spin very well. When he got even a little short ball, he blew it over the mid wicket. Going back after playing an incredible innings, Klassen’s name was written next to 81 off 46 balls. He hit seven fours, five sixes. The fate of the match was also decided then.
After losing in Cuttack by 4 wickets, India trailed 0-2 in the five-match T20 series. If they get defeated in Tuesday’s match, they will loose the series. Coach Rahul Dravid will have to make some tough decisions to save the series.
Changes to be made
He has to take the risk with the team selection. For example, if necessary, he needs to put Ruturaj Gaikwad aside and open the match with Shreyas Iyer. He should bring Deepak Hooda at three. He has a great rhythm. He has to change the bowling definitely. Youngsters like Umran Malik or Arshdeep Singh must be given a chance. Neither Avesh Khan nor Harshal Patel can cut the stain that way. Can’t even take a wicket. Spinners are like that too. Dravid needs to make leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi play in the next match. Bishnoi does a slightly different kind of leg spin. A little over the top. There is also the Googly. It can get left-handers like David Miller in trouble. Yuzvendra Chahal’s confidence is now at the bottom. Rahul should let him be out for a few matches.
Ishan Kishan has been batting aggressively since the beginning of the Indian innings. Seeing him, it seems that he has been given permission to play fiercely from the beginning. Despite getting runs at three by Shreyas, India was under pressure due to the failure of Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya in the middle row.
A decision by the Indian team management committee is very surprising. Dinesh Karthik was dropped even after Akshar Patel. It is true that Karthik is being called a finisher. But that doesn’t mean you can’t land him before 15 overs. India lost the fourth wicket in 13 overs. If Karthik had landed at that time, maybe 10 to 15 more runs would have been scored.
South Africa got into trouble after chasing India’s 148 runs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar brought India back in the match.