Coming off a comprehensive win against India in the 3rd T20I just a couple of days ago, South Africa were in a position to continue their momentum in the three-game ODI series. Batting first, Janneman Malan and Quinton De kock got their side to a steady start. Three quick wickets in a span of three overs put SA in a spot of bother. India’s pacer Shardul Thakur was looking in wonderful touch with the ball, getting the ball to seam quite considereably.
Quinton de Kock followed soon after, with Ravi Bishnoi wrapping him plumb in-front of middle peg. At 110-4, the game was tilting much in favor of the home side. But as is often the case in situations of batting collapses, SA gained back the control the lost after their fourth scalp, courtesy Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller. Both of them were quick to pounce on any loose delivery, of which there were plenty. India erred on their lengths and got dispatched by the duo. India’s lackluster fielding didn’t help as a lot of catches were spilled towards the backend of the Proteas innings.
That set the hosts 250 to get, a total to be proud of for South Africa given the dire straits they were in during the middle overs. The Indian openers got off to a hiccup, with Rabada and Parnell cleaning up Gill and Dhawan. Gaikwad couldn’t get going either, failing to impress after scoring a measly 19 off 42 balls.
There was a stage of rebuilding from Iyer and Samson, with both of them getting to crucial fifties. Iyer was at his best, dispatching anything full and in his arch right over the side-screen, but fell trying to pull a short delivery over mid-on. Samson looked in incredible touch as he was timing the ball to perfection. His flawless base and steady head allowed him to pick up length with ease and pull the likes of Shamsi and Maharaj over the ropes.
Shardul Thakur contributed as well, with a handy 33 consisting of five boundaries. India were inching close with Samson looking ominous, but it wasn’t to be as they fell nine runs short of SA’s 249. India isn’t playing their best eleven by any means and their fielding at the death could possibly have cost them the game and it will be interesting to see if they can rectify that going into the second ODI in Ranchi to level the series.
-Vibhor Dubey
The Average Cricketer 