Ind vs SA 1st ODI: SA Won the Nail-Biting Match by 9 Runs

Key Highlights

• The 1st ODI match was reduced to 40 overs each side where SA scored  249-4 in 40 overs.
• Miller took the lead by scoring highest runs of 75 for SA, including 5 fours and 3 sixes, remaining unbeaten.
• Shardul Thakur took 2 wickets from the Indian side.
• Sanju Samson hit his second ODI 50 and won the hearts of the fans on the pavilion, drilling a wonderful total score of 86 (63)*.

Amidst the heavy rain and wet pitch conditions,  the match was reduced to 40 overs each side. For South Africa, Quinton de Kock and Janneman Malan made their debuts. While Mohammad Siraj delivered the first over, Janneman took the strike. Two Indian bowlers, Mohammed Siraj and Avesh Khan, have had dismal luck thus far. The Indian pacers were unfortunate not to claim any wickets during the limited 8-over powerplay, despite having a promising start by bowling tight lines. Quinton de Kock and Janneman Malan’s partnership helped South Africa score 49 runs in 12 overs without losing a wicket.

India’s first successful and most significant wicket came after 12 overs. Janneman Malan was removed by Shardul Thakur after 42 balls and 22 runs were scored. Later, Temba Bavuma was sent back to the pavilion by Thakur.

Quinton de Kock was in top form, smashing goals. He lost his wicket in 22.2 overs after being caught in front of the stumps when he was just 2 runs away from scoring a half-century. That spectacular catch for the ODI rookie ended up in Ravi Bishnoi’s net.

David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen’s partnership turned the tide for team South Africa after they lost four wickets. In the 35th over, both players hit their half centuries, bringing up the astounding 100-run partnership.

South Africa set a record of 249/4 in 40 overs. In the first innings, David Andrew Miller smashed maximum runs, 75 off 63 balls, remaining unbeaten.

Heinrich Klaasen missed to reach the highest score by just 1 run, getting 74 in 65 deliveries not out. Shardul Thakure took two wickets while Bishnoi and Yadav opened their account with one wicket each. Siraj and Avesh Khan got no wickets.

For the chase of 250 runs, Dhawan and Gill were the top order batters for the India squad to face the bowling attack of Kagiso Rabada.

Starting it slow, both scored 8 runs after 2 overs but Gill lost his wicket to Rabada 2.3 overs. Ruturaj Gaikwad came to the crease in the 3rd position and got no runs in 8 balls, meanwhile, Dhawan was bowled out by Parnell, scoring 4 off 16 deliveries.

With Ishan Kishan joining Gaikwad, India got some hope when Ishan Kishan sliced the drive in the gap between backward point and cover for the first boundary. India stood at 12-2 after 6 overs. Despite hitting two fours and a few singles, the figures moved to 26-2 after 11 overs. Ngidi and Maharaj showed some fierce bowling in 12th and 13th over, restricting India to score minimum.

In the consecutive over, Kishan and Gaikwad rolled their wrists to get two fours to the side, India score to 45-2 after 15 overs. India managed to cross the half-century after 18 overs with a score of 51-4.

With Tabrez Shamsi on the bowling attack, Gaikwad got stumped, getting a run score of 19 in 42 throws while Kishan lost his wicket to Maharaj after scoring 20 in 37 balls.

Sanju Samson added the first six to the side on a throw from Shamsi in 18.6 overs. Shreyas Iyer elevated the hopes of the Indian fans and players by giving a hat trick of boundaries in the 20th over, posing India at 90-4 after 21 overs.

Iyer kept it continued with superb flick shots, crossing the mark of century; 106-4 after 23 overs. He completed 50 with a counter attacking knock that India needed badly. On the other hand, Samson scored 15 off 21; India at 118-4 after 16 overs.

Leading India to a weighty mark, Iyer lost his wicket to Ngidi. Shardul Thakur took the batting charge with Samson, getting 11 runs in 9 balls after 29 overs.

On a throw from Parnell in the 32nd over, Samson smoothly hit the ball past the keeper for two fours, taking India to 164-5 after 33 overs. In 35.1 overs, Samson scored 50 which was his 2nd ODI fifty.

The run association of Sanju Samson and Shrdul Thakur, beautifully moved the score to 205-5 after 37 overs. On a nerve wracking over, Maharaj cusped the ball hit by Shardul Thakur on a throw from Ngidi.

Staying on the crease and playing under pressure, Samson hammered to shower six, four, and four in the consecutive balls in the 39th over.

South Africa overpowered India by 9 runs in Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow.

Under the captaincy of Shikhar Dhawan, the Men in Blue got thrashed by SA by just 9 runs. For the latest cricket news, follow CBTF Speed News!