Duminy: The 16th over was the turning point

After his match-winning knock in the first T20 against India, South Africa allrounder JP Duminy said the 16th over of their innings was the turning point in the match.

The Proteas were chasing a stiff target of 200 in 20 overs after Rohit Sharma scored a century for the hosts but the visitors got off to quick start in their reply.

Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers put on 77 for the opening stand in the first seven overs but the South Africans still needed to keep up with a healthy scoring rate throughout their innings to pull of the win.

After 15 overs, with the score on 134 for three, the Proteas still required 66 from 30 balls and needed one hefty over, and that is when Duminy delivered.

The left-hander smashed spinner Axar Patel for three consecutive sixes as the over went for 22 and tilted the odds of the match in South Africa's favour.

The Proteas eventually won match with two balls to spare with Duminy unbeaten on 68 at the end to see his side take a one-nil lead in the three-match series.

Duminy said: "The start was very crucial for us. We knew that for chasing down a big total, we needed to start well. The key for us was that we didn't lose wickets in the first six overs. The way AB [de Villiers] and Hash [Amla] played was incredible.

"We tried our best just to stay in the moment and understand what was required from us at that point of time. We've batted together quite a few times now so our communication is improving every game.

"Our main focus was to try and put on a partnership and required run rate was close to the 12-13 mark, and we tried to keep up to it as much as we could.

"The turning point though I think was the 16th over. I think Ashwin's last over went for about eight runs or so. Hence, we needed to make up for that somewhere, which we got off Axar [Patel]; his last over was great for us."

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