India seemed to have scored a good score of 287, losing 6 wickets. Indian openers initiated well enough to give a good start to team India, but Dhawan gave away his wicket in the 11th over.
Top batsman Virat gets out of 0 and fans are shocked as they expected a good comeback, witnessing the last ODI innings of Virat. Virat scores 0 off 5 balls, giving away his wicket to Maharaj.
Skipper Rahul played a brilliant inning of 55 but was not able to continue his partnership with keeper-batsman Pant. KL got a great opportunity as South Africa missed an easy run out when Pant and Rahul were at the same side, but the ball slipped away from Mahraj and the backup fielder too juggled it before throwing. Rahul reached till then, got a bit lucky to continue his innings till 55 of 79.
Rishabh Pant was today’s show-man as the young lad scored 85 runs in just 71 balls helping team India reach 287, as his contribution was much appreciated by coach Dravid and the team. Pant was unable to play the death overs as he got out by spinner Shamsi.
Shreyas and Venkatesh’s performance is still a question as India has Ishaan Kishan, Ruturaj, and Suryakumar as a perfect replacement for the middle order. While Shreyas got out at 11 ( lbw by Shamsi), Venkatesh gave away his wicket to Andile.
The middle-order once again failed to stand and give the backup team India needed, but Ashwin remained not out along with Shardul to take the score to 287. Shardul Thakur once again scored and remained not out. He knocked 40 runs in 38 balls, while Ashwin fisted a good partnership, scoring 25 off 24.
The spinners of South Africa managed to take 4 wickets in 26 overs, giving away 143 runs altogether. The track seems to encourage the spinners as the bowling economy of spinners looked quite better than the fast bowlers for team South Africa in the first innings, which can give skipper Rahul a brief idea to bring in the spinners early.
The score ended at 287 with the hosts awaiting to chase 288 after the innings break. The total seems quite similar to the first ODI and the loss by the margin of 31 runs in this first ODI will surely give team India the confidence to win in the second innings.