The Indian cricket team has won seven and lost four matches during their tour of South Africa with one T20 match to go. It has been a fairly successful tour for Virat Kohli’s team but the second T20 in Centurion, which the Indians lost, revealed previously unseen cracks within the set-up.
Three particular incidents during the second T20 have raised concerns about the dressing room atmosphere despite the Indian team enjoying a very good record across formats over the last season or so.
DHONI FLAYS PANDEY
The last person you would expect to lose his cool on the cricket field is wicket-keeper MS Dhoni. The glovesman has achieved pretty much everything as a captain and is now a senior member of the limited overs side. But during the final over of India’s first innings against South Africa, Dhoni tore into Pandey before taking strike as he felt Pandey was not being alert enough to go for the extra run or receive instructions from his partner.
Incidentally, Pandey scored 79 off 48 balls while Dhoni smashed the next three balls after that meltdown for six, four and four to end up with 52 off 28 balls. The video is quite painful to watch.
PANDYA AND KOHLI ADMONISH UNADKAT
In the 12th over of South Africa’s chase, South Africa captain JP Duminy flicked Hardik Pandya towards mid-wicket and scampered home for two. The fielder Jaydev Unadkat attacked the ball, picked it up and threw the ball towards the non-striker’s end.
However, for some reason, Pandya threw the ball away in disgust even though the fielder had done everything he could do to put the batsmen under pressure. Kohli also joined Pandya in admonishing the junior player.
PANDEY SAYS HE IS CRACKING UNDER PRESSURE
After India lost the match, Pandey attender the presser where he revealed his fragile state of mind, admitting the ongoing tour of South Africa has been particularly tough for him from a mental point of view as there is no certainty over his place in the side.
“Honestly, it’s a little tough and it works on your mind a lot. Especially on this tour I have felt it a lot actually,” Pandey said.
The middle order batsman then said, in jest, that he even had to consult a doctor. However, it is apparent Pandey is feeling the pressure as he is just a T20 batsman despite having a fine ODI record, scoring a fifty and a century in his first three 50-over outings.
Thanks everyone for your support .. Unfortunately it wasn’t our night yesterday - We will comeback stronger Next game 👊#SAvsInd pic.twitter.com/Y8lFu9F7L6
— Manish Pandey (@im_manishpandey) February 22, 2018
