A fit again South African pacer Dale Steyn on Wednesday said that New Zealand’s decision to play three spinners against India in the WT20 opener paid off as the Kiwis posted a comfortable 47-run win over the hosts.
Chasing a mere 127 runs for victory, favourites India were bundled out for 79 in 18.1 overs on a turning track at Nagpur on Tuesday with the Kiwi spinners sharing as many as nine wickets among them.
“I guess New Zealand thinking was correct. Playing with three spinners paid off. We would probably go with spin, I don’t know. But as a seamer I have to back myself. Bowl fast cutters. It is really difficult to hit out when the ball is coming at 140-145, its gripping and stopping,” Steyn said.
Steyn, who had suffered a shoulder injury, said he was now fully fit and things were coming up nicely.
“I am fit and fine. Wasn’t a lot of injuries, just two injuries. The first one was a groin, just probably a week-10 days, but I made a rush, trying to get into the Test match (against India) in Bangalore, which put me back another four weeks, which put me out of the series.
Steyn, who plays all three formats, said playing the shortest form can be quite “mentally hard”. The T20 can be mentally hard. Being a bowler, you have only four overs. If you got an edge it can go for a four, that’s not your fault, whereas in a Test match you have five days to make up for it,” Steyn said.