India captain Virat Kohli and head coach Ravi Shastri have often spoken about the need to switch off from cricket when the players walk off the field so that they can come back focused and that is exactly what Rohit Sharma and Yuzvendra Chahal did on Tuesday. Team India decided to call off the optional training session ahead of the second T20I between India and South Africa at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on Wednesday.
Rohit Sharma having fun
Replacing the cricket bat with the golf club, the India players enjoyed themselves on the golf course. Guiding Rohit and Chahal were batting coach Sanjay Bangar and wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Karthik. Taking to Instagram, Rohit posted a photo which read: “Great day on the different field ⛳ ?♂ @yuzi_chahal23 @dk00019 @imsanjaybangar #DJ”
A ruthless India has only arrogance to guard against while a collapsed South Africa would be encountering another battle of survival when the two teams clash in the series-deciding second Twenty20 International on Wednesday.
Also read: Stats Preview: SA vs Ind (2nd T20I) Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s career-best T20 figures of 5/24 helped India continue their winning momentum over South Africa as the visitors registered a 28-run victory in the first T20I on Sunday.
With AB de Villiers getting injured, South Africa’s batting strength was reduced which failed to threaten India who set a stiff target of 204, thanks to Shikhar Dhawan’s 72. Reeza Hendricks and JJ Smuts began the chase, with Bhuvneshwar helped in sending back Smuts early.
Also read: Preview: SA vs Ind (2nd T20I)Bhuvneshwar’s incredible spell
Stand-in captain JP Duminy and veteran T20 player David Miller didn’t last long either with Bhuvi and Pandya getting the better off both the southpaws. Farhaan Behardien and Reeza Hendricks then stuck together to stitch an 81-run partnership but at no stage did it seem India were in trouble as big overs aren’t coming for South Africa.
With the pressure mounting, Chahal got the better off Behardien and then, Bhuvneshwar returned to pick up three wickets in an over and also a run out which resulted in a team hat-trick for India as South Africa were reduced to 175/9 in their chase.
