Ranchi, Nov 29 (IANS) South Africa batting coach Ashwell Prince emphasised the importance of pressure on the Proteas performing at clutch moments ahead of the first ODI against India at JSCA Stadium.\n<\/p>\n
Proteas come on the heels of whitewashing hosts India at home and winning a Test series 2-0. They first beat India by 30 runs in Kolkata and then by 408 runs in Guwahati.<\/p>\n
Prince highlighted the performance of red-ball series but cautioned the Proteas to improve on performing in high-pressure environments.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think at the moment the squad has focused predominantly on Test cricket and, as far as white-ball cricket is concerned, a lot of the focus has been on T20 with the World Cup coming up soon. So in the 50-over space, we\u2019ve been able to try different combinations. I\u2019d say we\u2019re doing pretty well in both batting and bowling departments. If there\u2019s one area we could improve, it\u2019s the bigger moments \u2013 tighter moments, clutch moments. White-ball cricket is about high-pressure environments, intensity, and playing those moments well.\u201d<\/p>\n
With conditions likely to favour batters in Ranchi, dew is expected to come play in the later part of the innings, team batting first will look to put big score on the board.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur homework tells us there\u2019s a lot of dew expected. Teams tend to prefer chasing if they win the toss. But if you get a good pitch upfront and post a massive score, it can affect the chasing team because they feel they have to start at a high tempo and that\u2019s when you can lose wickets. If we bat first, we\u2019ll need to post a formidable score to apply pressure.\u201d<\/p>\n
India\u2019s two white-ball superstars, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma return to international cricket after the Australia tour. However, their performances did not quite match expectations on that occasion. Now, with conditions favourable and with both having a point to prove, fans are eager to see their bats do the talking once again.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I wouldn\u2019t say it\u2019s extra pressure. As South Africans touring India, it\u2019s always exciting. With those two names in the line-up, we expect a full house and that\u2019s exciting. We try to focus on what damage we can cause the opposition rather than how they can hurt us. They\u2019re world-class, they\u2019re dangerous, but the focus is on our strengths and how we impose our game.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019d be nice to carry the momentum, but there\u2019s personnel change in both teams, so the Series will have a different feel. All formats are important on a tour like this and we\u2019d like to keep the momentum going.\u201d<\/p>\n
India, meanwhile, are missing the services of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, presenting KL Rahul and coach Gautam Gambhir with a mix of openings and headaches as they shape the squad\u2019s immediate future.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll around, India have a fantastic team in both batting and bowling. The results will hinge on crucial moments in matches. Playing those moments well is important.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prince also acknowledged the momentum Proteas carry with them after winning Test series but white-ball tour comes with a reset buttton for them ahead of T20 World Cup 2026.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe most important thing for us is our mentality. Historically, South African teams came here and the conditions felt foreign. These days our players tour the subcontinent more, even in shorter formats, so conditions aren\u2019t as foreign. What\u2019s important is not to pre-empt how a pitch will play. A keyword for us is adaptability \u2013 whatever the conditions are on the day, we adapt our style accordingly.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not lost on anyone how massive that achievement was. We certainly enjoyed the evening afterwards. I can\u2019t give you too much detail about the enjoyment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prince praised all-round performance of Jansen and his importance in the white-ball tour both with bat and ball. \u201cMarco has a phenomenal Test record \u2013 average in the early 20s, strike rate around 38. And then you add his batting. What\u2019s important for him is clarity. At number eight or nine, you don\u2019t have many partners, so once he\u2019s in, he needs to score quickly. Playing an aggressive role is something we\u2019ve discussed. His innings put us in a dominating position. Then with the ball, he adapted brilliantly. We didn\u2019t expect the pitch to bounce that much. The batters said the bounce was steep, so the bowlers used the bouncer more. Again, adaptability is what matters.\u201d<\/p>\n
Welcoming Quinton de Kock, Prince said, \u201cHe\u2019s massive. Just like Rohit and Virat strengthen India, Quinny has a similar effect for us. His experience and the quality he showed in Pakistan boosts the dressing room. We\u2019ve got quite a few young left-handers and young players. For them to sit with him, talk to him, and bat with him out in the middle does a lot for their growth. He\u2019s a big influence for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2013IANS<\/p>\n
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