Young South African pacer Kagiso Rabada said clarity of thought helped him bowl a brilliant final over where he could capture two Indian wickets and defend 11 runs to ensure his team’s victory in the first One-Day International at Green Park here on Sunday.
Rabada said South African captain A.B. de Villiers told him how to keep M.S. Dhoni quiet. “A.B. said M.S. can pounce on the full balls. The plan was very great and it worked out great,” said Rabada in the post-match press conference.
“We pitched back of the length and felt it was harder and harder to bat as the day progressed. It was a two-paced wicket.
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“We were clear about what to do in the last over. Adjusted well in the conditions and it paid off,” he added.
Rabada said his death over experience during his school days helped him too. During school, I have been required to bowl the last over quite a few times.
“But it can’t be bigger than this. You are bowling to one [Dhoni] of the best in the world. It was crucial to keep a clear mind.
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“I was lucky to get the advice of A.B. and others. I have never felt more pressure in the game than today simply because of magnitude of the players and the level of cricket.
“The fans, the big game; it was very emotional,” he said.