David Miller and Rassie van der Dussen were hailed by Indian cricket fans for guiding South Africa to a record chase against India in the first T20I.
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David Miller (64 not out) and Rassie van der Dussen (75 not out) forged a match-winning partnership to guide South Africa to their highest-ever successful chase of 212 runs in the first T20I against India at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Tuesday. The chase also meant that South Africa halted the joint-record of most successful wins by India in T20Is at 12 matches.
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Chasing a challenging total of 212 runs, the visitors lost their captain and opener Temba Bavuma (10), early to India fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the third over. However, his fellow opening partner Quinton de Kock (22) and incoming batter Dwaine Pretorius (29), played some important cameos but failed to convert their starts.
But the match was truly turned into its heads with Miller and van de Dussen forging an unbeaten stand of 131 runs for the fourth wicket- The top-order batters complimented each other in the chase as Miller, a part of Gujarat Titans winning squad in IPL 2022, smashed four boundaries and five sixes in his 31-ball knock while van der Dussen hit seven fours and five sixes in his stay of 46 deliveries.
“Obviosuly a lot of hard work over the last few years understanding my game. Rassie played so well at the back end. Just try and hang in there was the chat. He was trying to go but he wasn’t getting it. Just about waiting for that loose ball. Belief. Understanding winning more games and more consistency gives you more belief. I am pretty open to bat anywhere. Just want to make a difference,” Miller, who was adjudged the player of the match, said at the post-match press conference.
