Dashing Dwaine's Proteas promotion might not be one-off: 'One of the hardest hitters around'

Rassie van der Dussen - while not stating so outright - has suggested that Dwanie Pretorius' promotion to No 3 in the Proteas' T20 batting order might not be a one-time event.

The lanky all-rounder might've only been at the crease for 16 minutes during South Africa's sensational victory over India in Delhi on Thursday night, but his bold innings proved crucial in catching the home attack off-guard and granting his team a productive power-play in a steep chase of 212.

Earlier in the week, Pretorius gleefully credited legendary Indian skipper MS Dhoni for making him believe "anything is possible" after spending a first campaign in the IPL with him at Chennai Super Kings.

It definitely showed in his 13-ball 29, a four-sixes burst that included an outrageous three in four balls off the hapless Hardik Pandya.

Dwaine Pretorius at No 3 ??4 Sixes, 223 Strike Rate / 29(13)#INDvSA | #WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/7JTJjfb8GN

Both of the 33-year-old's highest scores in T20 internationals - he boasts a career-best of 77 against Sri Lanka in 2019 - have come batting at No 3.

"Dwaine played brilliantly," said Van der Dussen, who crafted a match-defining, unbeaten 75 off 46.

"He got out to a really good delivery from Harshal Patel, but I believe he'll take a lot of confidence from that knock going deeper into the series.

"He'll continue putting the bowlers under pressure." 

The tactic of sending Pretorius earlier almost had a retro feel to it, an unashamed throwback to the 1990s pinch-hitter that clearly worked a treat.

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"Dwaine is probably one of the guys in world cricket that hits the ball the hardest," said Van der Dussen, who was still in the dugout when