Ahmedabad, February 22 India captain Suryakumar Yadav admitted that India's failure to form partnerships proved costly as they suffered a heavy 76-run defeat against South Africa in their T20 World Cup Super Eights opener here on Sunday.
Chasing 188, India produced a lackluster batting performance, repeatedly losing wickets due to South Africa's clever use of slower balls, and were bowled out for 111 in 18.5 overs.
"Sometimes, you have to accept that you might not win in the powerplay, but you can still lose. We didn't have the partnerships we needed. We could have batted better," Suryakumar said at the presentation.
India lost their top three – Ishan Kishan (0), Abhishek Sharma (15), and Tilak Varma (1) – inside the powerplay, leaving them at 26/3.
The defeat also affected India's net run rate (-3.800), leaving them needing wins against Zimbabwe (February 26, Chennai) and West Indies (March 1, Kolkata) to qualify for the quarter-finals.
"It's part of the game. We will learn from it, take a step back, and bounce back. Hopefully, we will bat well, bowl well, and field well. Keep it simple. That's what we will try to do," he said.
However, Suryakumar credited the bowlers for keeping India in the contest after Jasprit Bumrah (3/15) and Arshdeep Singh (2/28) restricted South Africa to 187/7, despite a 200-plus total looking likely.
"We were always in the game when we started. We bowled really well in the beginning. From 7-15, they batted really well, and then we came back. We bowled really well."
Key was adaptation: Markram
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South Africa captain Aiden Markram said the key was adapting quickly to the conditions.
"It was a different type of wicket than what we have had here. The boys assessed that early, and then adapted to their plans.
"I'm happy with the bowlers. Starting the tournament was tough, but tonight (they were brilliant)."
He credited the middle-order stand between David Miller (63) and Dewald Brevis (45), which revived South Africa after early setbacks, before Tristan Stubbs provided the late flourish with a 24-ball 44 not out.
"The partnership between Brevis and Miller kept us in the game.
"I didn't feel like the ball was travelling. It was a bit spongy. We were trying 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."
Lungi Ngidi played a pivotal role with his variations, conceding just 15 runs in four overs to choke India in the middle phase.
"We feel like he is a threat whenever he is bowling, and that he can take wickets through the middle. He just rocks up and keeps delivering," said Markram.
South Africa next face West Indies here on February 26.
"It's the same for both teams, having played against each other recently. They are a dangerous side. Let's enjoy it for one night and then move on. This is a big game for us. Importantly, we need to come out and play our best."
Player-of-the-match Miller said his plan was to take on India's spin attack, particularly Varun Chakravarthy, whom he targeted in the middle overs, as he leaked 39 runs from his first three overs.
"I wanted to be aggressive against the spinners. They have world-class bowlers. I have played against them a lot, trying to put them under pressure and putting myself in a position to do that," Miller said.
