Hurrah India, hooray Ntini

Post Match Analysis: Only T20I - South Africa v India at Durban, Jan 9, 2011

This was a match played after a hard-fought test series in a stunning new stadium and more so for Makhaya Ntini’s farewell than for any honors for both teams. No one could read the pitch precisely as it was thought to be a 130-run pitch because of low and unpredictable bounce. It had low bounce but batting did not prove to be as difficult as predicted. India overcame South Africa easily contrary to the forecast.

Dhoni opted to bat first after winning the coin. Murali Vijay after hitting three boundaries went early but Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma took the score to 67 in 8th over. Kohli was dealing in fours and looking set for a big score but was bowled by Botha for 28. Sharma continued to play aggressively as Yuvraj Singh was looking to come to terms with the pitch. India got to hundred in 12 overs and a big total was on cards. Sharma hit five fours and two crispy sixes in his 53 off 34 balls before holing out on the long on boundary and giving one last international catch to Ntini off Duminy. Yuvraj and Pathan both got out quickly but Suresh Raina provided the necessary impetus at the end of the innings by playing his natural game and before he got out on the last ball of the innings he had taken his team to a challenging total of 168 for 6. He made 41 off just 23 balls with 2 fours and 3 sixes. Parnell was the pick of the bowlers with 1 for 25 in 4 overs while Ntini went for 46 and Theron took 2 for 39.

In reply South Africa stuttered at the start but 3rd wicket partnership between van Wyk and de Villiers took them to 88 after 9 overs. Van Wyk who replaced injured Graeme Smith at the last minute grabbed the opportunity with both hands and stroked the ball extravagantly all around the ground. At this point they lost 4 wickets for 20 runs relinquishing the position of strength dramatically. Van Wyk who had brought up his first T20I fifty off just 24 balls, fastest by a South African, in a moment of indiscretion handed a catch straight to Nehra on the deep square leg boundary. Despite his extraordinary high backlift he played the seamers and spinners efficiently and made 67 off 39 balls with 5 fours and 5 sixes. With him went South African resistance and despite Botha’s effort of 25 runs they could make 147/9 in 20 overs losing by 21 runs. Nehra and Yusuf Pathan were the pick of bowlers taking 2 for 22 each. Rohit Sharma was named Man of the Match.

This was 4th win for India over South Africa in this format in 5 matches. Certainly IPL has a lot to contribute to this. Ntini lead his team off the field amid loud applause from the crowd and has bid adieu the international scene leaving behind a legacy and a hole which will be difficult to fill in near future.