The revealing aspect of JP Duminy’s post-mortem of Friday night’s epic chase in the first T20 against India in Dharamsala was that there was never any panic within the ranks, even as the required rate climbed beyond two runs a ball.
Even as they looked up at the innings break, and realised that India had set them 200 to win.
Even when they lost three quick wickets, after a fine burst by Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers.
And even when Ravinder Ashwin, all arms and wrists – and possibly too much elbow – gave away just eight in the 15th over, to give them 66 to get off the last 30 balls.
“We came to practice here a few days ago, and realised the dew was going to be a big factor. So we thought that chasing would be better, and we back our batting line-up to chase any total,” Duminy smiled.
The Man of the Match also reserved praise for the Proteas attack, led by Kyle Abbott.
At one point, India looked set to pile up a total well in excess of 200, but Abbott’s double strike, and some smart death bowling, put them in check.
“The way we came back in those last three or four overs with the ball was very important.
“At that stage, India looked like maybe getting to 220, so that finish also helped our confidence when we came out to bat.”
When the Proteas batting unit does click, as they so brutally did in the T20 series opener, it is a tough act to live with.
Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers play a pretty potent good cop/bad cop combo upfront, and if they get beyond the Powerplay, they inevitably set the game up for the finishers.
“The start we had was absolutely crucial. We knew we needed to start well, and I thought AB and Hash were exceptional. Not losing wickets up front was also important,” Duminy noted.
But, even after that electric start, there was still much to be done.
Much indeed, when you consider that Duminy has spent most of the last month in a cot, rather than a net, as he enjoyed being a father.
“The warm-up game was obviously very important for me, because I hadn’t really had a hit in nearly two months.
“So it was very good to spend time out in the middle, and then hit the ground running here.”
The South African all-rounder found an ally in Farhaan Behardien, a man who has stepped into the breach he left while away on daddy duty.
Behardien has chalked up several vital knocks over the last few months, and Friday’s supporting act was just as timely. “We have batted together a few times now, and our communication seems to get better with each game,” Duminy said.
“We just tried to stay in the moment, and keep that rate needed as close as possible to the 12/13 runs an over mark.”
Once Ashwin, the dangerman, had put the shackles on somewhat, Duminy knew that someone had to go.
And that unlucky someone turned out to be Axar Patel, whose 16th over was bludgeoned for 22 runs.
“We knew we needed a turning point, needed to capitalise somewhere. Luckily for us, it was that 16th over.”
It was a significant statement by Duminy and the Proteas, against one of the teams expected to be right up there come the Twenty20 World Cup.
Had they folded and limped away with a 10 to 15-run defeat on Friday, immediate doubts would have sprung up about their temperament.
“We have spoken a lot about competing on this tour,” Duminy revealed.
“When we get hit, we want to land a counter-punch, and we are always focusing on the next ball.”
The counter-punch he threw on Friday landed flush and, if they didn’t know it already, reminded India that the next two months will be a proper ding-dong affair.
Round one, South Africa…
– THE SUNDAY INDEPENDENT