PAARL: South African top-order stood up to set up the run chase for the home side; defeating India by seven wickets in the second ODI of the ongoing series, here on Friday.
South African openers anchored the run chase with a solid 132-runs partnership. Both the openers – Quinton de Kock and Janneman Malan scored magnificent half-centuries setting up the perfect foundation for the home side.
India’s Shardul Thakur managed to provide the breakthrough for the touring side; dismissing de Kock for 78. He faced just deliveries, smashed seven boundaries and three sixes.
Malan, on the other hand, kept going and scored an astonishing 91 off 108 balls, laced with eight boundaries and a six before getting castled by Jasprit Bumrah.
Following their departure, the Proteas’ middle-order batters contributed significantly to steer the side to the victory in the 49th over. Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen remained unbeaten; scoring 37 each.
For India, Thakur, Bumrah, and Yuzvendra Chahal made one scalp each.
Batting first, India too, had a decent start to their innings; putting a firm 63-runs opening partnership. The duo appeared solid but Shikhar Dhawan departed after scoring 29. The left-handed batter faced 38 deliveries and smashed five boundaries.
KL Rahul, on the other hand, kept going and partnered brilliantly with Rishabh Pant following Virat Kohli’s five-ball duck. The pair added a 115-runs partnership for the third wicket as both the batters scored half-centuries.
The duo appeared to have put the touring side in the commanding position before Rahul departed after scoring 55 deliveries. He hit four boundaries.
Pant, on the other hand, top-scored with his quick 85 off 71 balls, laced with 10 boundaries and two sixes before getting dismissed by Tabraiz Shamsi in the 33rd over.
Following his departure, the side began to lose wickets at an alarming rate, despite the late contributions from Thakur (40), the men in blue finished at 287/6 in the allotted 50 overs.
For South Africa, Shamsi bagged two wickets, while Sisanda Magala, Markram, Keshav Maharaj, and Andile Phehlukwayo struck out a batter each.
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