JP Duminy warns Proteas: Play the ball, not the man, ahead of crucial India T20 World Cup clash

The mega ICC T20 World Cup Super Eights clash between hosts India and South Africa in Ahmedabad on Sunday will be decided during the death overs, according to former Proteas allrounder JP Duminy. 

The veteran of six T20 World Cups and having featured in two semifinals in 2009 and 2014, believes the two sides are evenly matched, but the Proteas will need to find a way to deal with the pressure at the backend of the innings. 

“I think the death (overs) is going to be critical for us from a bowling perspective, and then how do we counter them at the back end as well, from a batting perspective.

“So, either side, I think the death is going to determine it,” Duminy exclusively told Independent Media.

It certainly is an area, especially with the ball, that the Proteas have placed a heavy focus on improving, and it has shown at this T20 World Cup. 

Barring Kagiso Rabada’s meltdown in the final over which led to a double Super Over against Afghanistan, the Proteas were particularly impressive in the follow-up game against New Zealand when they restricted the Black Caps to just 32/1 in the final five overs. 

But it's not just the Proteas bowlers that will need to be on the mark. India possesses a potent bowling unit spearheaded by fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and the World No 1 T20 bowler mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy.

“Well, the first point would be to assess the wicket itself and then try to keep it as simple as possible. Okay. So not trying to play the name, play the ball,” Duminy said. 

“Obviously you're going to do your prep work, understanding what are the stock deliveries, what's the variations, are there certain patterns? You know, you're going to work with the analyst, with the coaches, are there certain patterns that we can be mindful of after certain deliveries? 

“What is their go-to, what is their go-to in the first five balls or when they're coming up against new batters, when you have the death, what is their go-to? So, understanding that and then bringing your strength and your skill set to the party in the best way possible.

“At the end of the day, it's going to be your execution against their execution.”

The Narendra Modi Stadium is also set to be transformed into a sea of blue with over 100 000 Indian fans ready to create a cacophony of noise that will test the Proteas’ nerves. 

However, the masses have been silenced before when Australian opener Travis Head delivered a scintillating innings in the 2023 World Cup final, and the Proteas could possibly need a similar knock from the likes of Quinton de Kock or Markram upfront. 

Duminy, though, believes the responsibility doesn’t lie on any individual, but rather the collective. 

“I wouldn't say it's a Travis Head innings,” he said. “I would say it's just to play to your strengths. Now on the day, if, you know, conditions are in your favour and it allows for that type of thing, so be it.

“I mean, we've seen that from Aiden, we've seen it from Quinny, we've seen it from Rickleton. So whoever is finding the right form, whoever is getting into a flow early on, if they can kick on and take that responsibility and accountability to do it right, then by all means.

“And then how do we collectively converse around one approach that how do we help each other in the middle, but essentially, it's a partnership of two as a batting group, facing 130 000 people and obviously the 11 on the field. And so, making sure that we encourage one another and, you know, motivate each other in the right way possible."