Bangalore – More than anything else, the Dolphins and the Cape Cobras have been given stark lessons in just how fine the margins are at this elevated level, in a tough first week of the Champions League T20 in India.
Both teams still sit without a win but, in private, both are lamenting little moments; crumbs of opportunity that could have shifted the momentum, and possibly changed their results.
Cape Cobras’ skipper Justin Ontong, a fierce competitor, lamented the small errors that the Cobras made, the extras they gave away at crucial stages against the Hobart Hurricanes, who the Cape side would have fancied to beat on Sunday.
But, as both South African sides are finding out here, this competition is not called the Champions League for the sake of it. The margins are tiny, and no mistake goes unpunished, as the Cobras found out.
A wide here, and a no-ball there, and the precious pressure was released, just like that. Similarly, the all-star Chennai that the Dolphins ran into yesterday were unrelenting. Dwayne Smith exited, only for Suresh Raina to walk in. Brendon McCullum fell, but then came Faf du Plessis. And then Dwayne Bravo, and so on.
For those who have aspirations to get there, or even those who know they may never quite reach it, this is the closest a lot of the South African players have got to full international cricket.
“I think it has been a hell of an experience for all of us,” Morne van Wyk admitted.
“Everything about India is unbelievable. I’ve been fortunate to come here before, but as a newcomer, it is a huge learning curve,” Van Wyk explained.
“It’s a change to suddenly play in front of big crowds, who are cheering all the time, which we unfortunately don’t always get back home,” he added.
Not that the Dolphins skipper was making excuses. Much like Ontong, that is just not his style, which is why he didn’t even think to mention that his diabolical leg-before decision early in the Dolphins’ chase of 243 was a hammer blow.
To the naked eye, it looked a shocker on sight and, indeed, it looks even worse every time you see it. As it was put in the press box, had that decision been given in a Saturday league match, the umpire would have been handed a prescription to Specsavers.
But this is nigh-on international cricket, and it just shouldn’t happen. But, like many things last night, it was part of the lesson for the Dolphins.
“Look, we came here to try and win this trophy, which may sound strange for some people to believe now, but that is the truth,” Van Wyk insisted.
“Maybe we won’t do it this year, but I believe this experience will make us all better cricketers, and also better human beings. India is an education, not just on the field. It’s been a real eye-opener for the boys, but we are still very keen to improve and learn from our mistakes.”
Van Wyk put his hand up, and said he himself had erred while his side were getting smashed to all corners by Suresh Raina and Brendon McCullum.
Upon reflection, he said that he could have done more to try and stem the tide.
“Maybe I could have done more then, and changed things, but even the world’s best go into a state of shock when that is happening. There wasn’t a lot wrong with some of our bowling, and you have to take your hat off to Chennai, who just kept hitting.”
It’s been a tough week for the Dolphins and, indeed the Cobras, but both teams now have a few days of reflection, where they can gather themselves, and soak in the unique land that they are calling home for a week more at the very least.
Van Wyk, for one, loves being here.
“When you come here, you almost have to pinch yourself sometimes, but there is nowhere I would rather play my cricket. I just feel that this whole place energises you, and I feel very lucky to be able to play here again.”
The Cobras play on Friday, when they meet the Tridents in Mohali, while the Dolphins’ next assignment is against the Lahore Lions in Bangalore, on Saturday afternoon.