IND VS SA ODI

Right then. That’s it from the coverage of this game. The hosts have taken a 1-nil lead in this three-match series. But let us not forget, India took the lead in the Test series but South Africa turned it around in the next two games. India would hope they can replicate the same in this series and would look to come back stronger in the second ODI. This game will be played on 21st with the first ball being bowled at 1400 IST (0830 GMT). But as you all know you can join us early for the build-up. Cheers!

Rassie van der Dussen wins the Man of the Match award for his incredible knock with his blade. He says, he knew he needed to go for the sweeps and reverse sweeps and put the spinners under pressure. Adds as soon as they got a partnership going on a good batting wicket, they put up a good score. Adds there was pressure when he walked out but he was confident and the team was confident and they knew 285 plus was going to be a good score and all in all, it was a good day for them. Ends by saying when Shikhar and Kohli were there, they were under pressure but as soon as they got those wickets, the game changed and they knew if they kept taking wickets, they will build pressure.

Temba Bavuma, the victorious skipper is in for a chat. He says it was a good win and he is happy. States he struggled throughout the innings to hit it in the middle and find the gaps but Rassie did really well and he provided the much-needed impetus and he just wanted to hang in there with him. Credits Jansen for the way he bowled and says he is growing as a cricketer. Mentions Markram is always an option for them with the ball and he always comes in handy. Further says Andile was really good, he would have loved to play a bigger part in the game but he understood the situation and he is a big player in the team and he rose to the occasion. Ends by saying the spinners were excellent, they tried to use Shamsi differently and he did really well and he is also pleased to have de Kock back and he is a big player for the team.

KL Rahul, the Indian skipper is in for a chat. He says it was a good game and they love playing in such games, there is a lot to learn. Admits they struggled to get wickets in the middle and they need to work on that. Further adds they were on par with the bat till the 25th over but then South Africa bowled really well. Mentions he did not bat for long so he has no idea about how much the pitch changed but Virat and Dhawan did tell him it was a good wicket to bat on, you just needed to hang in there. Also says when two people from the opposition bat deep, they are bond to post a good score, they needed someone to do that but that was not the case. Ends by saying they did feel in the break they gave away 30 runs extra but had they got a few more partnerships, they could have gotten over the line and they will learn from this.

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Earlier in the day, after electing to bat, South Africa were in trouble as they were three down in for less than 100. Then came the 200-run stand between Rassie van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma with both scoring runs and that powered the hosts close to 300. India began well, for the first part of the second essay, it seemed India would take the lead in this series but in the end, it is the home side who head into the second ODI with the advantage.

For South Africa, they did not bowl that well in the first half of this innings! There were far too many boundary balls, they struggled to build pressure on the Indian batters and also bowled quite a few extras. Not their fault too, the ball seemed to be coming on very nicely. Once the ball got old and soft though, it started to grip and then the likes of Shamsi and Maharaj came into their own. Ngidi was also very handful with his cutters and Andile Phehlukwayo also did his job. A really good effort from them after being put under pressure.

A very convincing win in the end for South Africa! Never did we feel though it would be that convincing. The top three really played well to get India into a fine position. Especially Kohli and Dhawan. The two added just over 90 and scored half tons each. However, the two fell in quick succession and then it all went down the hill for India. The likes of Pant and the two Iyers failed to contribute a lot. It then became an uphill task and they fell short by some margin.

FIFTY for Thakur but he ends up on the losing side. Something to cheer about for India at the end of the game. Full length, outside off. Thakur lofts it over covers for a single. Bumrah walks across and hugs Thakur. SOUTH AFRICA WIN THE GAME BY 31 RUNS.

Fuller, wide outside off. Bumrah taps it to point for a single.

Full and outside off. Thakur hits it down the ground for a single.

Full and wide outside off. Bumrah steers it to third man for one.

WIDE! Full and wide outside off. Bumrah looks to reach out but fails to get any bat on it. Although, it is outside the tramline and the umpire signals it as a wide. The bowler has to reload.

Full and wide outside off. Bumrah looks to chase it but misses.

Fuller, wide outside off. Thakur drives it through cover for one.

A dot to end the over. A brilliant penultimate over by Tabraiz Shamsi. Full and on off. Bumrah defends it out. Shamsi kept things quiet and gave away only 5 runs.

Full and on leg. Thakur gets low and sweeps it to mid-wicket for a run.