Zaheer Khan shares his concern over hosts’ inability to close out games

Former India pace bowler Zaheer Khan has expressed his concern over Team India’s inability to win matches. His comments came after India’s second defeat in the ongoing T20I series against South Africa. He added that while the hosts have been in dominating positions in both matches, they have crumbled when put under pressure.

However, India went 0-2 in the five-match T20I series, losing the second match in Cuttack on Sunday by four wickets. After losing the toss, Team India were restricted to 148 for 6. 

But then, Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed three quick wickets to leave the Proteas struggling at 29 for 3. However, a fourth-wicket stand of 64 between Heinrich Klaasen (81 off 46) and captain Temba Bavuma (35 off 30) steadied the ship and laid the winning foundation as well.

While reflecting on Team India’s second loss in a row, Zaheer Khan stated that the hosts’ didn’t have an answer during the Klaasen-Bavuma stand. 

During a discussion on Cricbuzz, he said: “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,”

While talking about something similar that happened in the first T20I, Zaheer Khan explained on Team India’s woes: “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,”

India put up a massive total of 211 runs for 4 in the first T20I and then reduced South Africa to 81 for 3. But Rassie van der Dussen (75* off 46) and David Miller (64* off 31) added an unbroken 131-run stand as the Proteas chased down their highest-ever T20I total comfortably.

While the other Indian bowlers struggled in the second T20I game in Cuttack, Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled brilliantly and ended with figures of 4 for 13. He dismissed Reeza Hendricks (4), Dwaine Pretorius (4) and Rassie van der Dussen (1) cheaply to keep India in the race of leveling the series.

Praising Bhuvneshwar Kumar, former left-arm speedster Zaheer Khan said: “Bhuvneshwar always keeps things simple. He has the experience of playing at this level. He understands the situations and the conditions. When Pretorius was there, he knew the batter’s role was to up the ante. The use of the knuckleball was smart. He understands exactly what to use for each player,”

Having lost the first two T20Is, India is currently 0-2, and they will have to win the other three games to win the five-match series.