When the Narendra Modi Stadium was commissioned, it was meant to be the colosseum to celebrate all India’s pending modern-day cricket achievements. Instead, the mega Ahmedabad venue is fast becoming a house of horrors for the Indian national team.
After Australia silenced 130 000 fans in the 2023 World Cup final, it was the turn of the Proteas on Sunday to turn the mass of concrete into a mortuary. More than 80 000 spectators clad in blue left despondent after the co-hosts’ demoralising 76-run defeat in the T20 World Cup Super 8 stage.
Instead, it will be remembered as one of the special T20 World Cup nights for the Proteas, as Aiden Markram’s team delivered a strong message to the remaining seven teams in the competition.
The resilience this team has become known for under head coach Shukri Conrad reared its head again as the Proteas recovered from 20/3 in the Powerplay to post an imposing 187/7.
It required the experience of the Proteas’ most-capped T20 international, David Miller (63), who had the support of a new brigade of fearless youngsters in Dewald Brevis (45) and Tristan Stubbs (44 not out). India boast a stellar batting unit, but on Sunday evening they had no answer for the Proteas’ clinical execution with the ball.
Marco Jansen led the way with 4/22 and was ably supported by Keshav Maharaj (3/24) and Corbin Bosch (2/12). However, it was Lungi Ngidi’s (0/15) superb execution of slower balls that suffocated India as the hosts were ultimately dismissed for a paltry 111.
“Great performance,” Proteas captain Markram said during the post-match interview.
“Different type of wicket to what we have had here. Boys assessed that early and then adapted to their plans.
“Happy for the bowlers. The start to the competition was tough, but tonight they were brilliant.
“The partnership they (Brevis and Miller) put up kept us in the game. It did not feel like the ball was travelling; it was a bit spongy. We tried to hit into space and run hard. They bowled well up front and at the death, but our batting through the middle was probably the difference.”
Markram, though, is fully aware that the Proteas still have two Super 8 matches remaining before the semi-finals and wants his team to keep their feet firmly on the ground ahead of Thursday’s crucial tie against the West Indies.
“They are a dangerous side. We will enjoy this for one night and then park it. It is a big game for us. It is important we rock up and take it on full steam again,” Markram said.
