South Africa has taken a one-nil lead in the three matches One day International (ODI) series against India. The Proteas defeated the Indians by 31 runs in the opening match of the series at Boland Park in Paarl.
The Proteas won the toss on a scorching day at Boland Park and didn’t hesitate in opting to bat first. But on a traditonal Paarl wicket with virtually no pace and very little bounce – it was India’s bowlers who dictated the terms early on. Seamer Jasprit Bumrah was the first to strike, with the wicket of opener Janneman Malan for six in the fifth over. Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin pitched in with the big scalp of the other opener Quinton de Kock for 27, a short while later.
Aiden Markram, who had a lacklustre Test series with the bat, wasn’t able to change his fortune in the white-ball format, he practically ran himself out for four a few overs later leaving South Africa on 68 for three in the 18th over. It wasn’t until Rassie van der Dussen joined his skipper Themba Bavuma at the crease that the Proteas innings gained some momentum. While the mercury soared, Bavuma and van der Dussen remained cool and collected. They rotated the strike comfortably and punished the poor deliveries to keep the scoreboard ticking. Bavuma was the first to record a century, his second in one-day cricket. Van der Dussen followed suit a few overs later – also notching up his second ODI century.
The pair put on a record 204-run partnership – from just 184 balls – the highest fourth wicket stand at Boland Park for South Africa and the highest against India – before Bumrah eventually dismissed the skipper for a superb 110 runs. Van der Dussen saw the innings through alongside David Miller – finishing on a career-best, unbeaten 129 from just 96 deliveries as South Africa posted a very competitve 297 for the loss of four wickets, in their 50 overs.
The visitor’s batsmen though were up for the challenge. India’s openers Shikar Dhawan and KL Rahul put on a 46-run partnership before part-time spinner Markram broke through for the home side, with the wicket of the skipper Rahul for 12.
Sadly for Proteas fans that was the only success they enjoyed early on as Dhawan, now partnering Virat Kohli, continued on his merry way – carving out his 34th half-century. The next wicket came more than 17 overs later when Keshav Maharaj scalped Dhawan for a well-played 79.
Kohli went on to bring up India’s 150 with his own half century, but he was dismissed a few deliveries later compliments of Tabraiz Shamzi for 51. Lungi Ngidi and Andile Phehlukwayo found themselves in the wickets in the middle overs.
The pair took four wickets between them in that spell – leaving the tourists on 199 for seven, still needing 98 runs from just over 11 overs. And it was a bridge too far for India despite a half-century off the final delivery from Shardul Thakur. They were restricted to 265 for eight handing the Proteas a 31-run victory.
? RESULT | #PROTEAS WON BY 31 RUNS
A commanding team performance with bat and ball sees Temba Bavuma's men take a 1-0 series lead in the #BetwayODISeries? #SAvIND #BePartOfIt | @Betway_India pic.twitter.com/sWZMz6e2rI
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) January 19, 2022
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