Former Proteas captain Faf du Plessis.
Image: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Former captain Faf du Plessis believes the Proteas have made a “statement” and are now “the team to beat” after a famous victory over India in the ICC T20 World Cup Super Eights in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
The Proteas crushed the defending champions by 76 runs - India’s second largest T20I defeat ever - to silence an 80 000-plus strong crowd at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Veteran David Miller struck superb 63 and was well supported by youngsters Dewald Brevis (45) and Tristan Stubbs (44 not out) to help the Proteas recover from 20/3 to eventually posting a formidable 187/7.
The bowlers, who were supported by the fielders, then delivered a superb performance, led by Marco Jansen’s 4/22 and Keshav Maharaj’s 3/24 to skittle India for just 111.
It was sweet revenge for the Proteas after they lost to India in the last T20 World Cup final two years ago in Barbados and have since been ridiculed by host broadcaster Star Sports in the build-up to the Super Eights clash.
“It is a statement,” Du Plessis said on Cricinfo after the victory. “This is the team to beat.”
Du Plessis, who was at the helm when Proteas lost to India in the 2014 T20 World Cup semi-final, lauded the Proteas’ bowling effort and the planning by the coaching staff, headed by Shukri Conrad.
Jansen and Maharaj may have claimed the plaudits in the wicket-takers column, but it was a superb all-round with Corbin Bosch also bagging 2/12 from his three overs.
The unsung hero was Lungi Ngidi with the big seamer utilising his slower balls to great effect. Ngidi conceded only 15 runs in his four overs.
“Spotless bowling performance,” Du Plessis said. “You could see the planning that went into that.
“The way they bowled to certain batters. There was a lot of thinking behind the scenes. The way they bowled to Suryakumar Yadav. Pace off the ball. Make him try to hit the ball.
“I thought pace was more off than I used to see. When you think of a venue like Ahmedabad you don't think pace off. Tactically I thought they were very good tonight.”
The Proteas’ now top Group 1 with two points ahead of their next Super Eights match against West Indies on Thursday before facing African neighbours Zimbabwe in their final match next Sunday.