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MS Dhoni: “We should have won the game”

Many Indian players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina and Dhoni himself need to play to their potentials if India has to win this series against the rampaging Proteas. Ashwin could only bowl 4.4 overs due to a side strain as India leaked 109 runs in the last 10 overs. However from there, they lost two wickets instead, of Dhoni and Binny, and ended up losing the match and conceding the series lead. MS Dhoni was in the middle and had just managed to score exactly the same number of runs off Dale Steyn in the previous over.

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He had hoped that Yadav would get a wicket or two with the new ball. He will be key in negating India’s spin factor and making sure South Africa keep building partnerships to launch a latter-over attack. “Maaro” (hit) was Dhoni’s one word reply.

The stadium was engulfed with chants of ‘AB!

On the other hand Ms.Dhoni said that Team India will be looking forward to take the home advantage, and will rely much on their spinners, also he expected the pitches to be spinner friendly.

It had nothing to do with switching loyalties, but respecting the sport for what it has stood.

“I have never felt more pressure in the game than today”.

South Africa won the toss and made a decision to bat first. It played slow throughout, offering square turn within the first 10 overs. Even as the runs came slowly, they had laid a good foundation for a strong and deep batting line-up to exploit.

The 34-year-old, however, praised the knocks of Rohit and Rahane (60) who helped India inch closer to the target but regretted that the willowers failed to pick the gaps when they needed to.

The elegant right-hander took only 98 balls to reach his century. Bhuvneshwar Kumar offers width and Hashim Amla not going to miss on those, cut hard to the fence. The duel between the two was fascinating till it lasted. He looked ominous right from the very outset, and the memory of scoring a T20 century barely a week ago seemed to have worked wonders on his morale. He obviously takes his time. He narrated how he went about his task in the 50th over of India s innings.

India, in reply, got off to a good start. Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Aaron Phangiso have joined the squad, with the speedsters adding vast experience to the environment, especially to a young bowler like Kagiso Rabada who is still learning the tricks of the trade in global cricket. Sharma brought up his century off just 98 balls and was well-supported by Ajinkya Rahane who scored an 82-ball 60.

Man-of-the-series JP Duminy said the visitors would have gleefully accepted the 2-0 win over India in the Twenty20 series.

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De Kock, playing his first competitive game of the tour, was the aggressor in the brief opening stand. Umesh, returning to action, gave the southpaw a few easy ones on the pads and he made full use of it. His first ball was a half volley on the leg stump and de Kock flicked it past midwicket easily.

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