EXCLUSIVE | How Marco Jansen overcame his Indian nightmares to become Proteas' go-to-man

Marco Jansen has endured a love-hate relationship with playing in India over the course of his fledgling international career.

The lanky left-arm seamer was enjoying a solid maiden ODI World Cup in 2023 until he ran straight into the hosts at Eden Gardens in a group encounter. 

Jansen, still only 23 years old at the time, was confronted by India’s much-vaunted batting line-up and he immediately felt the pressure by conceding 17 runs off the very first over.

It was all downhill from there with Jansen returning his worst ever ODI figures of 1/94 from his 9.4 overs. 

This shock to the system followed him through to the World Cup semifinal against Australia at the same venue with Jansen bowling just 4.2 overs and leaking 35 runs again. 

It was not until the Proteas triumphant return to Eden Gardens for last year’s first Test that Jansen had the opportunity to redeem himself with five wickets in the match - the most by a South African seamer in the Test - before playing a starring role in the second Test match in Guwahati where he claimed a first-innings 6/48 with the ball and struck 93 with the bat. 

He has certainly learnt from these experiences and is now the Proteas’ go-to-man in this T20 World Cup, where he picks up wickets both in the Powerplay and the middle-overs. Jansen is currently the Proteas’ second highest wicket-taker at the on-going tournament with seven scalps at an average of 16.

“As an all-format player, Marco has played in all formats in various conditions which allowed him to pick up experience and develop a good feel for his own strengths,” Proteas bowling coach Piet Botha exclusively told Independent Media from Delhi.

“Marco is unique in his skill as a tall left-arm bowler and his ability to apply pressure with his speed and accuracy makes him a successful bowler. He is also a very competitive person which adds to his determination to be successful.”

Jansen’s development and maturity has also been aided by his performances in the Betway SA20. The former Potchefstroom Gymnasium learner is the second highest wicket-taker in the competition’s history and has played in all four finals for the Sunrisers Eastern Cape. 

He has routinely also kept his best performances for the grand finals, claiming 3/10 in the Season 4 showpiece and a T20 career-best 5/30 in the Season 2 finale. 

Botha believes these performances have all played a role in Jansen now trusting his skills to be successful under pressure. His ability to execute two types of slower balls - the off-cutter and knuckle ball - has certainly been a standout from his performances.

“I think every person develops the belief that they can make a difference under pressure the more they play and taste success in pressure situations,” he said.

“Marco has certainly turned out some good performances under pressure and the team backs him 100% as a go-to-man when required.”

The Proteas will certainly hope that Jansen can continue this upward trajectory beyond Wednesday’s UAE clash with much bigger challenges ahead in the Super Eight phase. 

The Proteas face a rematch of the 2024 World Cup final when they face hosts India in what is expected to be a sell-out 135 000-strong crowd at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 22 followed by an equally tough challenge against the West Indies at the same venue four days later.