Indian conditions no more foreign to us because of IPL: JP Duminy

Mumbai,12  March। South Africa star batsman Jean-Paul Duminy on Friday said the advent of the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) has helped his team’s cricketers get accustomed to Indian conditions.

“So many players in the Proteas squad are playing in IPL over the years. This has helped us get familiar with the conditions and it is no longer foreign to us,” Duminy, who plays for Delhi Daredevils, said at press conference here ahead of their World Twenty20 warm-up match against India at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday.

The 27-day tournament got underway in Nagpur on March 8 and will be played at eight venues across India with Eden Gardens in Kolkata scheduled to host the final on April 3.

India, Pakistan, New Zealand and Australia are clubbed in Group 2 while South Africa, England, the West Indies and Sri Lanka are in Group 1.

South Africa come into the tournament after a 1-2 loss against Australia in the T20 International series.

“We, as a team, take lot of positives from the series against Australia. The series was a needed one just before World T20. We are confident that with the balanced side we have and the batting line-up we have we can go a long way,” the left-handed batsman said.

When asked if the Proteas are still carrying the tag of chokers into the tournament, the 31-year-old made it clear that unless and until they win a major tournament, they will have to carry the tag.

“We are never going to lose the chokers tag unless and until we win a big tournament. We have let ourselves down in pressure situation in big and crucial games. Pressure and expectation always going to be there but this is a big chance for us with a good team to win the World title,” Duminy said.

Agency