Summing up South Africa's dismal show in WT20, captain Faf du Plessis said small mistakes like conceding loads of extras in the games against England and the West Indies made a big impact and led to his team's early exit from the mega-event.
The Proteas, one of the strong contenders, conceded 26 extras against England including 20 wides while defending 229 for four, and eventually lost. Against the Caribbeans, they could not defend 122, losing the match in the last over, having conceded 10 extras that had eight wides.
Du Plessis said even as "T20 cricket is sometimes a gamble", there are a few things that teams can control.
"Sometimes Chris Gayle rocks up and wins the game for you. But one thing I can say is that we were poor in our extras. Every game we had more wides and no balls than the opposition and that's always the basic and controllable," Du Plessis said.
Du Plessis said promoting big-hitting AB de Villiers up the batting order was a step in right direction.
"He's played in different positions and we have tried him in different roles. I think AB actually said that he needs to improve his T20 stats. He is a world class player and I think that's his journey now. He wants to try and improve, and hopefully we are going to see more of AB going into the future because a quality player like him always comes out at the top.”
When Faf was dismissed on Monday night, the large number of fans started chanting 'AB' 'AB'. Asked if such a phenomenon was distracting since it also happens when he is still at the crease, Du Plessis said he is now "used to it".
"When I am batting in India and hear AB AB and I am just imagining in my head that they are chanting my name. It's actually quite strange to deal with it. I remember in an ODI series that we played here, I actually waned to get out on purpose just because you feel like the crowd wants him. I have learnt now India loves him. He has actually done amazing things in India. He is a box office cricketer. You have to put your ego aside when you go in front of them."