"Unfortunately from a batting perspective, that's been our Achilles heel throughout this Indian tour in the short format. As players and as senior batters we have to take responsibility for that," Duminy said after South Africa lost the first Twenty20 International by 28 runs, chasing 204 for victory.
"We've got to look ourselves in the mirror, ask how we can improve and get better. Hopefully that improves come Wednesday.
Duminy, however, defended his bowlers for targetting Indian batsmen with short balls, a strategy that didn't quite work. The Men in Blue took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
"It's going to come down to execution of our skills. If we execute a plan well, it is potentially going to work. But unfortunately with our plans in place, we didn't execute as well as we'd have liked.
Duminy rejected suggestions that the morale is down in the Proteas dressing room right now, having already lost the ODI series 1-5.
"I honestly don't believe that we are dropping our heads, or our body language is bad. Naturally when you put down opportunities, there will be some moping around, and you have to try and get yourself up as quickly as possible especially in a big game like that.
Indian batsmen countered the short-ball plan and powered their way through the first six overs. They finished with 203/5, their highest T20 total against South Africa.
Duminy felt that given the good batting conditions, it was a chaseable target.
"They were 100 after 8 overs, so at that point you're looking at probably 220 or 240, and I thought the way the guys came back was exceptional. I was pretty happy with chasing 204.
Duminy cited the example of Rohit Sharmas dismissal to point out that the short-ball plan did work to an extent. At the same time, he lamented his bowlers' lack of experience in executing it consistently.
He also said that South Africa need a proper plan B for the second T20I at Centurion on Wednesday.
"Where we've come short was assessing conditions as quickly as possible, which was the plan, again. If you look at how Rohit got out, that was a plan we put together and it came off.
Dumiy said hig totals in shorter formats is the norm right now and it is his team's batting, which needs to come good.
"You will leak runs in this format so even though we went for 200, from the way we started to the way we came back, there were lots of positives. If these plans had worked fully, we wouldn't be having this conversation. Plan B is something to be looked into for Wednesday," he said.
"They gave us a chance in the game. Especially in this format, with wickets in hand you give yourself the best chance to win the game. Those are the kinds of positives to take out of it and as teammates want to feed off that positivity. Hopefully we take that into the next game, said Duminy.
At the same time, he was appreciative of Bhuvneshwar Kumars skill which saw the pacer pick up his first five-wicket haul in T20Is.
Dumiy promised a strong comeback in the second T20 in Centurion.
"You have to find a way to get back on your feet and fire again on Wednesday. Thats all you can do at this level. You don't have many places to hide, you have to front up," he signed off.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
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