India are now leading the six-match ODI series 1-0 after clinching a six-wicket win over South Africa in the opening ODI at Kingsmead, Durban.
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But for a matter of fact, South Africa’s batsmen failed to counter the Indian spin duo for the second match in running.
Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav were outstanding for India yet again. “I’m actually pretty amazed by how slow they can actually bowl”, the former South African batsman wondered.
Chahal was the pick of the bowlers with five wickets, while Kuldeep took three.
Rabada was the only successful bowler for South Africa as he picked up the wicket of Dhawan.
India were cruising at 1-117 when, with just two more runs needed from 31 overs for victory, the umpires led the teams off for lunch. Subsequently, India lost just one wicket in Rohit Sharma to chase down the record lowest total at Centurion.
Kohli said he was extremely proud of wrist-spinners, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, and credited the discipline shown by them as the main reason for the win.
With the victory, India also moved above South Africa and to No. 1 in the world ODI rankings, although South Africa can reclaim top spot with four games of the series to come.
Openers Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla added 39 runs for the first wicket before the latter departed at the individual score of 23 runs off 32 balls with four fours.
JP Duminy and debutant Khaya Zondo temporarily halted India’s charge with a 48-run partnership before Zondo was caught by Hardik Pandya off the bowling of Chahal for 25. Aiden Markram admitted to being surprised by the Indian dominance and called it an eye-opener.
The last such instance was also against the men in blue, back in 2001 in Centurion where Indian spinners bagged 7 wickets.
Shikhar Dhawan (50), with in-form captain Virat Kohli (40), chased down the remaining runs with 29 overs to spare.
India captain Virat Kohli wants to keep the pressure on South Africa’s inexperienced middle-order for the rest of the matches in the ODI series, describing the home team’s batsmen as “shaky”.
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The woefully out-of-form Quinton de Kock (20) skied a long hop to midwicket when he should’ve smacked a Chahal delivery out onto the N1, while Markram (8) did exactly the same to Yadav.
