South Africa vs India: Heinrich Klaasen credits JP Duminy for match-winning knock

South Africa registered their first win in the ongoing T20I series against India recently. With the win in the Centurion game, the Proteas have managed to level the series 1-1 with the decider set to be played on February 24. The chief architect of the South African win was Heinrich Klaasen. Klaasen was promoted to number four in the game.

He singlehandedly took the game away from the Indian side. Heinrich Klaasen smashed a quickfire 69 off just 39 balls to give the impetus to the South African innings. Also, skipper JP Duminy hit an unbeaten 64 off 40 balls. As per the quotes in IOL.co.za, Klaasen credited his good show to JP Duminy. He expressed his happiness on being a star performer on his home ground.

“This is my home ground – it’s something you dream about as a kid, to win a game on your home ground for your country,” Heinrich Klaasen quoted.

“JP was the key factor to my whole innings. He told me after the second over when I was out there that the over had to go for 10, and that just allowed me to play my normal game and take the bowlers on,” he added.

On fancying his chances against Chahal

Commenting further on the same note, Heinrich Klaasen stressed on the fact that JP helped him play fearlessly. Also, he revealed that he fancied his chances against the leggie Yuzvendra Chahal. He knew that if he hits a big shot first up in the over, he could make it a big one. Chahal was taken away for 64 runs in his quota of 4 overs.

“The way JP told me to go takes the fear out of the game, and then it’s very important to keep a calm head. There was a stage where I was swinging quite hard, and then I said to myself, ‘Take one and relax’,” Klaasen mentioned.

“Once you get the momentum, it’s important to keep that momentum, especially when chasing 10 an over. I fancied my chances against the leggie – when I got the first two boundaries, I reckoned it was the big over,” he added.

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