“It’s not the first game of cricket that’s been lost with a team needing 30 off 30. It’s more that India are allowed to bowl well, they’re allowed to field well, they’re allowed to go from that position to a position of strength,” said Aiden Markram to the press.
South Africa were in a strong position, but they didn’t let it slip away; the opposition was “allowed” to play well, as Markram put it. In sports, if the other team outperforms you, they win. India outperformed them in the last five overs.
The brilliance of Jasprit Bumrah, who bowled two of those crucial overs, was a major factor. Hardik Pandya’s two overs were like a redemption arc, given all he’s been through since replacing Rohit Sharma as the Mumbai Indians captain. It’s no surprise Pandya had to wipe away tears before facing one of those intense interviews conducted while emotions are still high.
