South Africa stuns India in the 1st ODI by 31 runs despite efforts from Dhawan.
SAvsIND 1st ODI: The KL Rahul led team India have sustained an opening blow on Wednesday after South Africa jolted team India with a 31 runs win in the series opener in the Boland Park. The Protea amassed 296 runs in the first innings, after opting to bat first, and restricted India in 265 runs.
Team India, batting second, gave a solid start to the innings even after the crucial early wicket of KL Rahul. Southpaw Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli stitched a healthy partnership for the team, however, another middle-order collapse gave hiccups to the formidable India side.
Dhawan mustered 79 runs from 84 deliveries with the help of 10 boundaries while Virat Kohli on the other hand scored his half-century and was sent back subsequently. Kohli scored 51 runs from 63 balls with the help of three fours.
Team India’s middle order had a bright chance to take up the responsibility after the dismissal of the top order, however, South African bowlers exposed the entire middle order and clinched a convincing win.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer got good starts but failed to convert them into valiant knocks. Pant scored 16 from 22 while Shreyas run a ball 17. The debutant Venkatesh Iyer also couldn’t do much as he was dismissed cheaply on 2 runs.
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Moreover, KL Rahul didn’t hand over bowling opportunities to Vanketesh Iyer, who is supposed to complement Hardik Pandya’s role in team India. The entire cricket fraternity got erupt following Venkatesh Iyer’s selection in the playing11 as a proper batsman.
For India, Shardul Thakur tried to take India close to the target with his well-crafted half-century, however, the effort from the youngster wasn’t enough to bag a win. Thakur’s unbeaten 50 runs from 43 deliveries kept India in the race.
Meanwhile, South Africa showed a tremendous grid while batting first. Despite the early wicket of Janneman Malan(6) and Quinton de Kock (27), Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen contributed with a twin century to take South Africa to a total of 296.
South African skipper Temba Bavuma scored 110 from 143 deliveries while Van der Dussen remained unbeaten on 129 from 96 balls.
Owing to the decisive efforts from Bavuma and RVD, South Africa managed to post a daunting total of 296 on a slow track. Team India could only manage to score 265 in the loss of eight wickets and lost the opening ODI match by 31 runs.
The second ODI between India and South Africa will be played on 21st January in Boland Park.
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