Heinrich Klaasen talks about his approach against Chahal

South Africa have comprehensively humbled India by six wickets at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. Meanwhile, they drew level in the three-match T20I series and kept their hopes alive. The bowlers leaked runs, however, the Proteas batsmen stomped out and traced down the target without much fuss. Heinrich Klaasen was the major architect for South Africa’s stupendous show. He was particularly severe on Yuzvendra Chahal and smashed his leg-breaks to every corner of the ground.

Klaasen’s approach to the onslaught

In a recent interaction with the media, the Pretoria born cricketer revealed his approach towards the playing wrist-spinners. “I fancy him [Chahal] quite a lot. When I was in amateur cricket, there were a couple of quality leggies in that time when I started my career. I faced Shaun von Berg at the Titans a lot as well. We always made a joke that I need to finish the other leg-spinner’s career so he can go up, sometimes it works. Tonight it worked perfectly” Klaasen was quoted as saying to Cricbuzz

The swashbuckling cricketer also appreciated the Indian bowlers for their variations of pace. “It wasn’t planned. But the way the seamers bowled, the cutters, they’ve got very, very good skills as I have said before, I just fancied my chances more against the leggie, had more options against him, so when I got the first two boundaries, I thought this is the over [13th over] I got to target. Maybe if I can get 20-odd in this over,” the Proteas batsman added

Klaasen struggled quite a bit against Jaydev Unadkat’s deceptive changes of pace and it was the same delivery that got rid of him. Hence, his onslaught against Chahal was justified from Klaasen’s viewpoint. Also, Chahal’s leggies were neutralized by the wet ball, which made Klaasen’s approach even more understandable. South Africa will now play India for the decider at the Newlands in Cape Town on February 24.