Heinrich Klaasen's whirlwind knock gives Proteas hope in the series

The ‘Pink Day’ has become one of the most-awaited sporting spectacles in South Africa. The event is in its sixth year and has garnered massive interest in the Highveld social scene. Not only has it raised awareness regarding breast cancer but also provided the cricket lovers an opportunity to look forward to something interesting and noble. Even, Sunil Gavaskar has urged the BCCI to take a leaf out of CSA’s book and come up with something similar.

Two weeks ago, Heinrich Klaasen told his girlfriend that he didn’t have the tickets to be at the ‘Pink Day’. South Africa have an enviable record in the Pink ODI and most of their success have been woven around AB de Villiers’ heroics. But, the rain-hit match on Saturday evening at the Wanderers saw the emergence of a new hero, Heinrich Klaasen.

After batting first, India looked en route to 350 courtesy a stroke-filled ton by opener Shikhar Dhawan and a 75 by captain Virat Kohli. But, a mini middle-order collapse and regular play stoppages disturbed India’s momentum and they finished on 289 for 7. They were propelled to that score by MS Dhoni’s run a ball 42.

Was severe on the spinners

Klaasen’s unbeaten knock of 43 from 27 deliveries comprised some lusty hitting especially off the spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal. The spinners were rendered ineffective due to wet conditions. But, it also has to be said that they lacked the discipline which was their strength in the first three ODIs. David Miller, another architect of the win got two lives as he was dropped in the outfield by Shreyas Iyer and then bowled off a no-ball by Chahal.

The win has handed South Africa a new vein of life as they can still square the series. Klaasen later said that: “It’s a massive, massive confidence-booster for us. We didn’t have the confidence but just to get the first win has lifted the spirits in the change room.”

His inning was unorthodox and timely as the run rate kept on soaring high with the Indians chipping in with regular wickets. The partnership he got in with David Miller changed the course of the game and the series has well and truly been opened up. A visibly exultant Klaasen looked satisfied with his innings as he had put in a lot of preparation with the spin coach, Claude Henderson to tackle India’s spinners.

“It’s been a long time coming. It means the world to me, it’s better than a hundred, better than anything else to play for your country,” he signed off on a positive note.