5 instances when JP Duminy showed he's the best finisher in T20s

Duminy is one of the best finishers in the shortest format of the gameJP Duminy is one of the best all-rounders in the world right now. In him, South Africa have a proper utility player who can fit in anywhere in their dynamic squad. Duminy has been South Africa's go-to player in the recent past.More often than not, Duminy has been pivotal in rescuing the Proteas from troubled waters, especially in the T20 format. This had led to him becoming one of the first names on the teamsheet in all three formats of the game.Here, we take a look at five such instances where Duminy came to the rescue of South Africa, in T20s:

#1 South Africa vs. Australia 2nd T20I in 2008

Duminy led his squad to a formidable total

South Africa needed to start off strong after losing the 1st T20I by 52 runs and was looking to get off to a good start in Brisbane. The Proteas were struggling in their 1st innings at 41 for three when JP came to the crease. JP hit an unbeaten 69 off 41 balls and took South Africa to a formidable total of 157 for five.

Unfortunately for South Africa, Australia chased the total with seven balls remaining, mainly thanks to a 69 run partnership between Michael Hussey and Cameron White. Australia won by six wickets and won the series 2-0.

#2 Cape Cobras vs. Royal Challenges Bangalore in 2009

Duminy led the Cobras to victory over the Royal Challengers

In the inaugural Champions League Twenty20 match, the Royal Challenges Bangalore played the Cape Cobras at home. RCB made 180 off their 20 overs, thanks to half-centuries by Robin Uthappa and Ross Taylor.

JP, who played for the Cobras, came in at 62 for three with Praveen and Vinay Kumar digging into the Cobras batting line-up. He went on to make an individual best of 99* off 52 deliveries, as he hit five sixes and eight fours.

The South African batsman got his half century off 30 balls and continued to thump the RCB bowlers all over the park. This thrilling performance saw the Cobras seal a five-wicket victory with just two balls remaining.

#3 South Africa vs. Zimbabwe 2nd T20I in 2010

Duminy helped South Africa reach a winning total while the rest of the batsmen fell cheaply

South Africa came back from a solid performance in the 1st T20I against Zimbabwe and was looking to seal the series emphatically. JP Duminy came to the crease at 29 for two and South Africa was left hanging when Graeme Smith departed for 46.

JP had to step up and take control of the innings and stood steady while the rest of the South African batting attack fumbled on the other side of the crease. He smashed an international career best with an unbeaten 96 off 54 balls.

In the last over of the innings, JP hit four boundaries, which included two maximums, and took the Proteas to 194 for six. South Africa went on to win by eight runs.

#4 Delhi Daredevils vs. Royal Challenges Bangalore in 2014

Duminy (R) and Taylor (L) helped Delhi post a respectable total, although in a losing cause (Image courtesy: Rediff Cricket)

In the 2nd match of the 2014 edition of the IPL, the Delhi Daredevils took on Royal Challengers Bangalore at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The Daredevils were struggling at 35 for four and JP along with Ross Taylor had to build a steady partnership to see their team to a decent total.

JP led from the front and made 67 off 48 balls, hitting seven boundaries and along with Ross’s 47, the two put up an unbeaten 110 partnership. JP spearheaded in the final three overs, hitting five boundaries and took their team to a decent score of 145 for four. Despite their resurrecting batting display, RCB beat the Daredevils comfortably by eight wickets.

#5 South Africa vs. India 1st T20 in 2015

Duminy came up with a match-winning knock against India in the first T20I

South Africa went into the 1st T20 as the underdogs playing India at home and was faced with a mammoth chase of 200, due to the century made by Rohit Sharma. Thanks to the opening partnership of Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers, South Africa were set for a comfortable win, until they lost three quick wickets after which JP and Farhaan Behardien had to pick up the pieces.

The Proteas were on a brink of defeat when JP struck an unbeaten 68 off just 34 balls and shared a partnership of 105 with Farhaan. He kept his head cool as South Africa chased down the total with two balls remaining and with seven wickets in hand. This batting exuberance illustrated how reliable and good JP is at the back end of an innings.