Batting coach Ashwell Prince admits the Proteas batsmen failed to deal with India’s bowling attack during Tuesday’s T20I in Cuttack.

Chasing 176, South Africa were bowled out for 74 – their lowest-ever T20I total – a collapse that handed them a 101-run defeat.

It was the Proteas’ a 17th defeat in 23 T20Is since the 2024 T20 World Cup final.

“There have been changes with personnel and injuries,” Prince said, “but I don’t want to use that as an excuse. We expect every match-day XI we put out to win.

“The stats speak for themselves. Consistency is something we need to find, and after a batting performance like that, it’s clearly an area we have to improve.”

HIGHLIGHTS: India vs Proteas (1st T20I)

Prince credited India’s bowlers for exposing South Africa’s shortcomings.

“They asked us a few tough questions that we weren’t able to answer. On the day, we just weren’t up to the task,” he said.

While the Proteas bowling effort kept India relatively in check early on — the hosts were 71/3 at halfway – Prince felt Hardik Pandya’s intervention shifted the momentum.

“I thought the pitch was good,” he said. “Not every surface is going to be a 220-run wicket. India had to work hard early, and then Hardik played a brilliant innings that pushed them to a competitive total.

“Adaptability should be a massive word in every cricketer’s vocabulary,” he added. “You can have an idea of what a pitch might do, but you only truly know once you’re out there. Being able to adjust on the day is key – and we weren’t able to do that.”