The South African batters reacted well in the chase of India's total, winning the second One-Day International in Paarl by 7 wickets on Friday (January 21). With this win, South Africa clinched the limited-overs series with one game to spare. South Africa will try to complete a sweep of India by winning the third match at Newlands in Cape Town on Sunday (January 23). Oppositely, India will hope to restore some pride by avoiding a 3-0 defeat. The second ODI report between South Africa and India is discussed in this article.
South Africa vs India ODI Series 2022: Second Match Report
Opener KL Rahul has led India's ODI team in the absence of Rohit Sharma. However, the KL Rahul-led team has been unable to formulate an effective strategy to shock the South African national side in the ongoing limited-overs series. India managed to put up a challenging total on the board in the second match, but they were unable to defend it thanks to some excellent batting efforts by the South African batters.
India’s Innings
It was a do-or-die game for India in order to stay alive in the ODI series. India's bowling lineup includes renowned match-winners. Therefore, the Indian campaign put full faith in their bowling arsenal to defend a total of close to 300 runs. KL Rahul chose to bat first at Boland Park with this in mind.
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The opening duo of KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan got India off to a good start with a 63-run partnership between them. India then loses two wickets in quick succession, including former captain Virat Kohli. However, this had no impact on India's progress, as the third-wicket partnership of Rahul and Pant carried the total to 179 in 31 overs.
India's captain was dismissed by Sisanda Magala after playing a 55 off 79 balls knock. Rishabh Pant lost his wicket to spinner Tabraiz Shamsi one over later, but not before batting belligerently for 85 runs off 71 balls.
India's lower middle-order batter Shardul Thakur (40*) and Ravichandran Ashwin (25*) played two crucial innings that ensured India a battling total to defend. Tabraiz Shamsi was South Africa's most successful bowler in the competition. He took two wickets for 57 runs in 9 overs.
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South Africa’s Innings
Pacer Jasprit Bumrah and spinner Yuzvendra Chahal bowled brilliantly, while the rest of the Indian bowlers failed to stop the South African batters from scoring. As a result, the South African batters faced no big challenges in chasing down India's 287.
Janneman Malan (91) and Quinton de Kock (78) opened the innings for South Africa, putting on a 132-run partnership in just 22 overs. De Kock was more aggressive than Malan, scoring more than 100 strike rates.
South Africa's run chase became easier after a century stands in the first wicket. However, the Protea batters did not exhibit any unnecessary intent that may have resulted in them losing wickets in the crucial moments of the match. Temba Bavuma (35) and top scorer Janneman Malan (35) then formed a 70-run partnership to take the total to 212 in 35 overs.
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India dismissed both Bavuma and Malan in the space of two overs, but South Africa eventually won the contest with 11 balls to spare thanks to an undefeated 74*-run partnership between Aiden Markram (37*) and Rassie van der Dussen (37*) in the fourth wicket. Bumrah, Chahal, and Shardul all took a wicket each for team India.
Player of the Match
South Africa’s wicket-keeper batter Quinton de Kock was named player of the match for his destructive batting effort. South Africa got off to a solid start in the run chase thanks to De Kock's aggressive style of play.
Aftermath
India have already lost a Test series against South Africa earlier this month. Therefore, India's loss of an ODI series against South Africa is a huge blow. On the other hand, this South African team has exhibited an impressive fighting spirit against one of the top cricket nations in the world. Winning two consecutive series against India at home will surely boost the Proteas national side confidence. Oppositely, India will have to make a good recovery against Sri Lanka in their next bilateral home series in February-March.
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