Series loss to India is a reality check for us, admits SA all-rounder JP Duminy
South African veteran JP Duminy agreed that the 5-1 ODI series loss against India arrived as a reality check for the South African squad ahead of the 2019 World Cup preparation. Duminy conceded that they needed AB de Villiers to fire on all cylinders if they wanted to win the upcoming T20 series.
The South African giants were acknowledged as favorites to win the series against the visiting Indian squad. The home team edged out as winners in the Test leg with a tally of 2-1, but the Indians bounced back in sublime fashion in the six-match ODI series that followed as they sealed a historic series win by a scoreline of 5-1.
A young South African team without the likes of skipper Faf du Plessis, Quinton de Kock and AB de Villiers, who was also absent for the first few ODIs, failed to step up under the nascent leadership of 23-year-old Aiden Markram. SA all-rounder JP Duminy, who will lead the Proteas in the upcoming three-match T20 series, admits that the series loss will serve as a wake-up call for the young side.
“Yes, it has been a dismal one-day series for us where India have outplayed us. That’s something that we will have to take on the chin and
South Africa will be banking on AB de Villiers, who will pose a huge threat in the T20 format for the Proteas. SA will rely on his smash-and-grab approach to help them set large targets as well as chase huge scores. Since de Villiers has returned from injury, he has scored just 62 runs in three innings in the ODI format, but Duminy hopes the T20s sees a change in fortunes.
“He [De Villiers] is there to start. He’s in the squad and is obviously a key player for us. We’re going to need him to fire on all cylinders,” said Duminy on Saturday in the pre-match press interaction.”
“The standard that he sets for himself is a high one on a whole. He prides himself on his performances and he will no doubt be hungry to put in a big performance for the team. So I expect nothing less from him, as much as he expects nothing less from himself. I’m looking forward to what he can produce,” Duminy added.
In the last 5 IND vs SA ODIs, SA was bowled out twice, while IND was bowled out only once.
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