India’s bad run in South Africa continues as the visitors faced a 31-run defeat in the first ODI of the three-ODI series at the Boland Park, Paarl on January 19. Chasing a challenging total of 297, India lost too many wickets in the middle overs and the game slipped away quickly from the visitors.
Kohli, Dhawan set platform
India’s run chase did not get off to an ideal start as KL Rahul on his ODI captaincy debut could score only 12 runs off 17 deliveries as he lost his wicket to part-time off-spinner Aiden Markram. Opener Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli batted well to set a platform for the run chase. Dhawan scored 79 off 84 deliveries and was dismissed by Keshav Maharaj in the 26th over. Kohli, on the other end, reached his half-century but got out immediately playing a loose shot off Tabraiz Shamsi. The two shared a 92-run partnership for the third wicket but the quick wickets put Indian middle-order under pressure.
Iyers fail
Indian middle-order crumbled as Shreyas Iyer got out for 17 trying to pull a bouncer from Lungi Ngidi. Rishabh Pant got stumped out off a wide delivery from medium pacer Andile Phehlukwayo whereas on-debut Venkatesh Iyer could only score two runs off seven deliveries. The IPL sensation got caught on the leg side boundary trying to pull Ngidi for a maximum. Ravichandran Ashwin too disappointed with a single-digit score as he got bowled by Phehlukwayo. Bowling all-rounder Bhuvneshwar Kumar followed him back to the dressing room after scoring just four runs.
Thakur's maiden ODI fifty
India feared getting all out after losing eight wickets in 43rd over. Shardul Thakur played the role of an all-rounder and hit his maiden ODI fifty from 43 deliveries. Thakur hit five fours and one six in the innings while Jasprit Bumrah provided support from the other end. The two shared a 50-run partnership for the ninth wicket.
Early wickets for India
Earlier Rahul lost the toss and the Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma chose to bat first. Opener Janneman Malan who had an average above 80 in the format before the game became Bumrah’s first victim for a score of six. Veteran Quinton de Kock got off to a good start but Ravichandran Ashwin got through him. Pushed down the order, Markram disappointed too as Ashwin got him out for just four runs.
Bavuma-Dussen save the day
At 68/3 in 18th over, Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen had the job to steady the ship. The two batter took their time and then accelerated towards the end. While Bavuma got out for a score of 110 at a strike rate of 76.92, Van der Dussen was brutal in death overs. The no.5 batter remained unbeaten for 129 off 96 deliveries including nine fours and four sixes. The two batters shared a 204-run partnership for the fourth wicket which helped the hosts post an above part total. For India, Thakur was the most expensive bowlers as he leaked 72 runs from his quota of 10 overs. Also, Venkatesh did not get to bowl a single over despite touted as an all-rounder going ahead.
