{ "id": "12335", "author": "13", "cnmid": "0", "title": "Winning first game was turning point of series : JP Duminy", "lang": "en", "series": "57", "cup_year": "2015", "article_type": "General", "excerpt": "", "subtype": "", "editor1": "

Kolkata, October 9 - <\/strong>South Africa's premier middle-order batsman J.P. Duminy says chasing down a stiff 200-run target in the first T20 International (T20I) against India at Dharamsala was the turning point of the three-match series which they ultimately won 2-0.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The visitors clinched the second match at Cuttack while the third at the Eden Gardens was a washout on Thursday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"I think the first one was a big one for us especially the way we finished the game. 200 was a stiff target and chasing that gave us a lot of confidence going into the second T20I," Duminy told media persons here on Thursday night.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The left hander was adjudged Man of the Tournament in the T20I series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Duminy also lauded the efforts of the South African bowlers who produced a clinical performance to bowl out India for 92 in Cuttack.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"We knew going into the second game that we needed to improve as a bowling unit. That was a big plus for us; the way we bowled, the discipline we showed within our bowling department. That is going to be a big tick for us in the T20 format. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

"With the results that we have got here now, will give us a lot of confidence going into the T20 series against England and Australia and obviously the World cup coming in a few months," said the dashing left-hander who scored an unbeaten 68 in the first game.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Speaking about the knock, he said: "I was changing nappies because I had a daughter a few weeks back. That is pretty much what I have been doing in the last month or two. I would definitely put it down as one of my better innings, especially in international cricket in the shorter format."<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"I guess the key for me is to stay hungry to perform for the team and putting in big performances. But that first game is definitely a step in the right direction for my confidence especially the way we finished," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Duminy was, however, wary of the threat that India will pose in the one-dayers and the Test matches. He believes that the hosts are very capable of making a strong comeback.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The two teams now shift to Kanpur for the first of the five-match ODI engagements on Sunday. The Proteas round up their tour with a four-match Test series. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

"As a team, we definitely expect them to put in a big performance in the two series. Yes, it was important for us to start well but we are under no illusion that it is going to be a walkover in the ODI series." <\/p>\r\n\r\n

"We know that we have to fight hard and play well and take it one game at a time. Our focus is on Kanpur and hopefully we can start off well in that series as well. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

"That is going to give us a lot of confidence. We know that they are a great ODI team so it is important for us to start off well in the ODI series," Duminy added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

(IANS)<\/p>\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2015\/10\/winning-first-game-was-turning-point-of-series-says-jp-duminy.jpg", "alt_img": "Winning first game was turning point of series say", "alt_title": "Winning first game was turning point of series say", "image1": "", "video": "", "seo_title": "Winning first game was turning point of series : JP Duminy", "seo_desc": "South Africa's premier middle-order batsman J.P. Duminy says chasing down a stiff 200-run target in the first T20 International", "seo_keywords": "JP Duminy, Jean Paul Duminy, India vs South Africa 2015", "tag": "", "tagging": "", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "0", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": "0", "slug": "winning-first-game-was-turning-point-of-series-says-jp-duminy", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "0", "ians_date": "0000-00-00", "ians_time": "00:00:00", "server_time": "0000-00-00 00:00:00", "trash": "0", "view_count": "2328", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "0", "auto_link": "0", "created": "2015-10-09 09:00:00", "updated": "2015-10-09 09:00:00", "img_from": "", "img_source": "", "schedule_publish": "0000-00-00 00:00:00", "news_keywords": null, "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "0", "google_feed": "0", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "1", "jio_date": "2015-10-09 09:00:00", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "1", "breaking_news": "0", "google_date": "2015-10-09 09:00:00", "featured": "0", "pred_match_id": null, "article_content_type": null, "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/cricket-news\/winning-first-game-was-turning-point-of-series-says-jp-duminy-12335" }