Kolkata: South Africa’s premier middle-order batsman JP Duminy says chasing down a stiff 200-run target in the first T20 International against India at Dharamsala was the turning point of the three-match series, which they ultimately won 2-0.
The visitors also clinched the second match at Cuttack, while the third at the Eden Gardens was a washout on Thursday.
“I think the first one was a big one for us, especially the way we finished the game — 200 was a stiff target and chasing that gave us a lot of confidence going into the second T20I,” Duminy told media.
The left-hander, who was adjudged man of the series, also lauded the efforts of the South African bowlers after they produced a clinical performance to bowl out India for 92 in Cuttack.
“We knew going into the second game that we needed to improve as a bowling unit. That was a big plus for us — the way we bowled, the discipline we showed within our bowling department. That is going to be a big tick for us in the T20 format.
“The results we have got here now will give us a lot of confidence going into the T20 series against England and Australia and obviously the World Cup coming up in a few months,” said the dashing left-hander, who scored an unbeaten 68 in the first game.
Duminy was, however, wary of the threat that India will pose in the one-dayers and the Test matches. He believes the hosts are very capable of making a strong comeback.
The two teams now move to Kanpur for the first of the five-match ODI series on Sunday. The Proteas round up their tour with a four-match Test series.
“As a team, we definitely expect them to put in a big performance in the two series. Yes, it was important for us to start well but we are under no illusion that it is going to be a walkover in the ODI series,” he said.
