India bowling coach Morne Morkel is delighted with how his team’s bowlers bounced back in the third T20I against South Africa after taking heavy punishment in the previous game. The turnaround from conceding 213 runs to bowling out the Proteas for just 117 shows the character and quality in the Indian attack.

Strong response after second T20I hammering

In the second T20I at Mullanpur, India’s bowlers were hammered all over the park. South Africa piled on 213/4, with Indian bowlers giving away 22 extras as well. Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh were hit the hardest, conceding a combined 99 runs in their eight overs. That heavy defeat left India with plenty to think about heading into the third T20I in Dharamsala.

But the response was excellent. On Sunday, December 14, India bowled out South Africa for just 117 and won the match by seven wickets to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. Morne Morkel said in a video posted by BCCI.tv: “I am just happy how the boys bounced back.” For him, this kind of resilience and character is what builds strong bowling units, especially in T20 cricket where one bad day can happen to anyone.

Arshdeep Singh’s redemption after wayward spell

Arshdeep Singh had a tough outing in the second T20I, bowling seven wides while trying to nail his yorkers. Every time he missed his line, the TV cameras kept panning to Morkel on the sidelines, as if the coach had given him a faulty plan. In the third T20I, Arshdeep came back strongly, picking up two wickets in a tight spell and helping India restrict South Africa to a low total.

Speaking in the same BCCI video, Arshdeep joked about the camera focus on Morkel during his bad spell. “In the last match, when I was bowling wides, the camera was panning to the coach very often as if he had given some faulty plan to me. I would like to say sorry to Morne and will also try to ensure that he gets less screen time,” he said with a smile, drawing laughter from his South African coach.

Arshdeep also spoke about his mindset, saying he never allows a bad day to bring him down. “Whether good or bad, I always try to be a level-headed person who makes reels and keeps the dressing room atmosphere light. That’s my main motivation,” he explained. His ability to stay positive and bounce back quickly is a big asset for India.

Harshit Rana steps in for Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah, who had a rare off day in the second T20I, missed the third game as he rushed home for personal reasons. This opened the door for Harshit Rana to come into the XI, and the young pacer from Delhi grabbed his chance with both hands. Rana picked up two wickets in a disciplined spell, using the cold Dharamsala conditions to his advantage.

Speaking about his performance, Rana said the weather helped him get extra bounce and movement. “It’s my first time in Dharamsala, I enjoyed bowling here. The weather helps a lot,” he said. He also praised Arshdeep Singh, saying he likes bowling with him because Arshdeep creates pressure from the other end, which makes it easier for Rana to attack and pick up wickets.

India take 2-1 lead with two to play

With this seven-wicket win, India have taken a 2-1 lead in the five-match T20I series. The fourth T20I will be played on December 17, and if India win that, they will seal the series with one game to spare. The bowling unit’s strong comeback has put the hosts in a great position, and the confidence gained from this low-scoring victory will carry forward into the remaining matches.