South Africa Don’t Lack Game Plan, Feels Stand-in Captain Markram

The hosts’ batting coach conceded that their batsmen have been unable to read Indian wrist spinners.

Aiden Markram addresses the media after South Africa lost the second ODI to India. 

(Photo: ANI Screengrab)

Video Editor: Sandeep Suman

South Africa don’t need to make drastic changes in their game plan, Stand-in captain Aiden Markram said at a press conference after India thrashed South Africa by 9 wickets in the second ODI at Centurion on Sunday, 5 February.

After bowling the hosts out for 118, India took just 20.3 overs to achieve their target, as Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli stitched a 93-run stand.

At the press conference, batting coach Dale Benkenstein conceded that their batsmen have been unable to read Indian wrist spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav.

Such was the domination of the Indian bowlers that only five South African batsmen managed to reach double figures.

I don’t think there is too much lack of a game plan. If you speak to each individual in our top six, each person has got a clear plan. So it obviously comes down to execution on the day.

Aiden Markram

"They (Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal) are two quality wrist-spinners and we give them credit. But I still think we can execute better,” he added.

Chahal returned figures of 5/22 while Yadav notched up 3/20 as South Africa were bowled out for their lowest total at home.

"Obviously the guys are very upset and disappointed. But the beauty of it is that everyone's disappointed in themselves. That's where the culture stands out and it stands strong. Each player will look to get better now going forward. It is a quick turnaround but it might fire the guys up going into the remaining four matches, which I think is a great thing for us," said Markram.

South Africa Can Learn From Indian Batsmen: Batting Coach

South African batting coach Dale Benkenstein conceded that their batsmen have been unable to read Indian wrist spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav during the ongoing ODI series as it is taking time to get adjusted to their change-ups.

He said that the slow pace of the Indian spinners made all the difference.

The challenge lies in the fact that they bowl very slow. Our spinners bowl very fast. Even on domestic wickets, we bowl pretty quick and it’s so much easier to get runs (when that’s the case). To be fair, in South Africa we don’t get a lot of spin. So, this is obviously an issue.

Dale Benkenstein

Chahal Says Variation is Key

"While playing on flat tracks, you have to vary your pace. You cannot bowl at one pace. Or the batsmen will get used to it,” said Yuzvendra Chahal, who returned with career-best figures in the Centurion ODI on Sunday.

Chahal spoke about the influence of both Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni, who have been instrumental in guiding the two leg spinners in their short careers.

Virat bhai tells us it doesn’t matter if we are hit for a six, but we must bowl to our strength. If your strength is to pitch it up, then go for it. When your captain tells you that, you don’t have to worry even if you have been hit for two or three sixes, you get confidence

"From behind the stumps, Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni) always keeps advising you. He knows what the batsman is going to try. It makes it easier for us," he signed off.