In Cape Town, he alone stood tall as the rest of India’s innings barring Shikhar Dhawan’s 76 crumbled – an effort Tendulkar kept churning out during the 90s.
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Cricket South Africa announced Monday that De Kock was in “severe pain and discomfort” after being struck on the left wrist while batting in the second match in Centurion on Sunday. It was then about a attractive partnership between Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli that got things underway. Shikha Pandey took three wickets in her eight overs, giving away just 23 runs.
Such was the nature of his innings that he scored only 60 runs through boundaries while he had to run hard for the remaining 100.
The Indians rode on skipper Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 160 to post a total of 303/6 in their allotted 50 overs.
2 – Kohli became only the second Indian captain after Kapil Dev to score a 150 in an ODI outside India.
For all the doubt that was cast on India for playing outside the subcontinent for the first time in two years, they are in a surprisingly good position. India has dominated this series like a boss and once again South Africa faced the brunt of Virat Kohli and his men. Yadav started the proceedings when he had Markram stumped by Dhoni, who notched another record in overall dismissals while Chahal trapped Duminy and Heinrich Klaasen (6) LBW.
No replacement was named but uncapped Heinrich Klaasen is the favorite to take over the gloves after being added to the squad last week. However, not for long as he fell in the last ball of the first over bowled by Rabada. He immediately asked for DRS review, which showed an inside edge and the decision was overturned. They have particularly been very effective in denying South Africa the opportunity to build partnerships, especially upfront.
Kohli was amazed to see Chahal and Kuldeep winning matches for the side, so much so that he would not deny that the duo could soon push for places in the Test side.
Markram was less than impressed with his side’s performance, and said: “Everything is disappointing about this”. Yet again we were not up to the mark. We just want to play the way we have played till now.
“Unfortunately we didn’t take it deep enough and you don’t win a match like that”. [About AB returning for the 4th ODI] I’d love it! “I was cramping towards the end but I knew I had to stay until the end to get us to 300”. This player is a different class altogether.
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Elaborating on just what is working for Chahal and Yadav here, Kohli said the conditions have been almost flawless for the duo. Some might come on more batting-friendly pitches, but I think with their attack, and the pace and bounce they were getting initially, you had to adjust your game. His unbelievable hand-eye coordination and bat speed compensates for this technical glitch most of the time but that does not always mask his problems against the incoming ball. “These are times when you are tested and it is pleasing to go through it and do well”, he said.
