Failed to defend targets because of dew: India batting coach Vikram Rathour

Asia Cup. Since the Super 4s of the Asia Cup, India have played six T20Is and won three of them while losing three. However, all the three defeats -- against Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia -- have come while defending targets. Contrary to Rathour's claims, none of the Indian team members, who spoke to the media after the defeats against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Dubai, blamed it on the dew factor making defending difficult.

Read AlsoIndia vs South Africa: India look to address death bowling concerns in final tune up ahead of T20 WC

India will be looking to round off their T20 World Cup preparation with a marked improvement in their death bowling besides providing crucial game time to its untested players in the three-match series against South Africa, beginning in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday. India skipper Rohit Sharma

"We are working on that area of getting better at defending targets. But to be fair to our bowlers, toss plays a vital role and every time we have not been able to defend are the places where there has been dew, so it gets easier to chase," Rathour said on the eve of the first T20I against South Africa here on Wednesday. While Rathour might have referred to the match against Australia at Mohali where India couldn't protect a 200-plus target, he was sympathetic to the bowlers despite the kind of criticism they have faced of late. "I won't be harsh on the bowlers as they have been able to push the match till last over, every time, when we are looking to defend. It's one ball here and there but of course we are doing pretty well but hopefully we will get better," the former India Test opener said.

Read AlsoFacing new ball quite a challenge in India: Temba Bavuma

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma feels