Former South Africa wicketkeeper-batter Mark Boucher has emphasized that South Africa’s T20I series opener loss to India in Durban on November 8 highlighted the Proteas’ struggles against spin, particularly in handling Indian bowlers Ravi Bishnoi and Varun Chakravarthy. Boucher noted that while the Kingsmead pitch offered turn, it was India’s spinners who capitalized on it better than South Africa’s own bowlers.
India’s 61-run victory was powered by Sanju Samson’s blazing 107-run innings, setting a challenging target of 203 runs. However, South Africa’s batting line-up faltered, with experienced batters David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen struggling against Bishnoi and Chakravarthy’s spin. Chakravarthy delivered a stellar 3/25 spell, extending his impressive form since rejoining the national side, while Bishnoi proved equally effective in the middle overs, claiming 3/28. Speaking to JioCinema, Boucher pointed out how Bishnoi’s control over Miller disrupted South Africa’s momentum, highlighting that Miller’s struggles against spin were a crucial turning point.
SA vs IND, 1st T20I: Highlights
“I was watching a couple of his (Ravi Bishnoi) balls come out a little bit different and I think what he did really well tonight, especially in the dark, is he changed the seam up. Sometimes you look at the ball, especially as a wicket-keeper as well. You look at the ball and see if you can see it spinning different ways. But he muddled his seam up very nicely,”:Boucher said.
“David Miller wasn’t picking a thing at all. I mean, there’s one over there where I think he missed four out of the six deliveries he faced. So yeah, he was bowled really well tonight, and it just goes to show two quality spinners. There was something there for the ballers, on that wicket. Something that South African bowlers could not exploit,” Boucher added.
Boucher also criticised Klaasen’s inability to find his usual rhythm with the bat in Durban, noting that his failure to adapt to the conditions prevented the hosts from building a strong response. South Africa’s spinners, he observed, failed to read the pitch as effectively as Bishnoi and Chakravarthy, who consistently troubled the South African batters and set the game in India’s favor.
The Proteas’ best hope came during the slow-building 42-run partnership between Miller and Klaasen, which offered a brief glimpse of stability. This partnership, reminiscent of their effort in the 2024 T20 World Cup final, however, could not deliver a lasting impact as both batters fell to Chakravarthy in the 12th over.
With the series now set to continue in Gqeberha on November 10, Boucher anticipates the hosts will look to rectify their shortcomings and mount a stronger challenge against spin. Meanwhile, India, bolstered by the momentum of their opening win, will aim to extend their lead and put further pressure on South Africa.