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Former India fast bowler Ashish Nehra has criticised stand-in India captain Rishabh Pant for his decisions during the first T20I against South Africa in Delhi. Nehra questioned Pant’s decision to discontinue Yuzvendra Chahal after bowling just one over where he conceded 22 runs. The 43-year-old expressed how Chahal should have continued bowling as the runs were scored at an incredible rate. 

Ashish Nehra then addressed how Chahal could have taken Miller’s wicket despite his great batting form. While talking on a post-game show, he said, “The opposition scored 212 and Chahal bowled merely two overs.” 

“It wasn't as if he conceded 22 runs in one over. You know that the runs are flowing. Even Axar Patel bowled an over to the left-handed David Miller. So, it was quite surprising for me that a bowler like Yuzvendra Chahal bowled only two.” 

“Even Rassie van der Dussen was there. Even if you're looking at the left-right combination, you did bowl Axar Patel. So, I think you should've bowled Chahal. I can understand the thinking that you would want to contain the flow of runs, but once David Miller started hitting sixes off almost every over, you had to bring Chahal in,” the former India fast bowler Ashish Nehra further said.

“Next time we are in a similar situation we will do better,” Pant

Addressing, the team’s defeat Rishabh Pant talked about how the team couldn’t execute their plans. He said, “We had enough on the board, but I think we were a little off with the execution. But sometimes you got to give credit to the opposition.”

“Miller and RvD batted well. Slower balls were working when we batted, but the wicket got better in the second innings. Mostly we executed our plans (to Miller) but the wicket got better and better. We were very happy with the total but next time we are in a similar situation we will do better”, Pant added.

India started the game on an incredible note as they posted a massive target of 212 in the first innings. This batting juggernaut was led by Mumbai Indians batter Ishan Kishan who smashed 76 runs in 48 balls. 

Kishan then stitched up an 80-run partnership in 40 balls which was followed by Hardik Pandya’s cameo of 31 in 12 balls. But South Africa chased this total comfortably as David Miller and Rassie van der Dussen combined to score 131 runs as the Proteas won the game by seven wickets.