Video: Faf du Plessis praises Proteas’ bowling performance, condemns crowd’s behaviour
Cuttack: South African skipper Faf du Plessis rated their bowling performance against India in the second T20I as their "best ever" which has set the tone for their long tour to India.
After skittling out India for 92 in 17.2 overs South Africa recorded a six-wicket win yesterday to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead before going to Kolkata for the last T20 international of the Freedom Series.
Read: South Africa outplay India to clinch Twenty20 series
"I think possibly it's the best bowling performance I've seen ever in T20Is. It was amazing to see all bowlers fantastic. To beat India 2-0 in India is a huge achievement and we are truly proud of that," Du Plessis said in the post match news conference.
"As I said before the start of the series, the way you start when you come to India is extremely important. Starting with a couple of losses, it is hard to put yourself back up. The conditions, obviously, when India are on top they play really well.
"So, it was really important for us from a T20 perspective because we are the team that are starting the tour."
Faf came out with four bowling changes in the first four overs and he said it was a plan to unsettle the Indian batsmen.
"It was not the plan leading up to the week, but it happened through the game. I thought of using Immy (Tahir) upfront. He had not bowled in the Powerplay, but I thought changing things up, trying to be unpredictable so that the batsmen can't predict what they want to do."
.@faf1307 praises @OfficialCSA's performance in Cuttack, condemns crowd’s behaviour. http://t.co/mMUVUzoTSb #BCCI
— DC Sports (@_DCSports) October 6, 2015"There was great variation in that first six overs, there was spin and pace, and then we got wickets. Obviously, there were two key run outs, but getting wickets upfront is key always. Our bowlers did that always. Once again it was a great bowling performance. To knock the runs off quite clinically was also important."
Meanwhile, Faf du Plessis condemned the crowd behaviour.
"It's not nice to see that. I've played five-six years of cricket in India. To have that happening, I don't think it's nice for cricket. It should not have happened and I just hope this is the first and last time in the tour."
In pics: Shameful crowd behaviour spoils second India-South Africa T20 in Cuttack
All around the world, people are passionate and about their team and country. I've witnessed this first time in India. It's definitely to do with the passion. It was just a bad day in office," said the winning captain.
Having played under MS Dhoni at CSK in the IPL, he said the Indian captain had a calming influence on him.
"I was very fortunate that I played with MS when I just captaining. So, as a young leader you look at where you can learn from other leaders. At that time, it was Dhoni there, also (Stephen) Fleming was a successful captain.
"You see what works for them, but more important thing is you don’t copy other leaders and try to be yourself. You learn and try to learn from your mistakes, and then you come to a stage in your career where you have your own identity.
"He has got a calm demeanour on the field, has a lot of respect from his team, and has got a good cricket brain. Put all those things together, and there is a lot to learn from.
"I am very lucky we have got good leaders in Chennai. There must be four-five captains playing in one team - Brendon, Stephen, Bravo, myself. To have their brain trust, I am extremely lucky to be in that great position. Obviously MS leads that team, but we all give our inputs. Graeme Smith is another guy I took a lot of learning from."
