India

PAARL, SOUTH AFRICA – JANUARY 19: Lungi Ngidi of South Africa celebrate the wicket of Shreyas Iyer of India during the 1st Betway One Day International match between South Africa and India at Eurolux Boland Park on January 19, 2022 in Paarl, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)

India rearguard action not enough as Proteas win series opener

The Proteas proved to be the better side in the first One Day Iinternational against India at Boland Park in Paarl winning by 31 runs.

India

PAARL, SOUTH AFRICA – JANUARY 19: Lungi Ngidi of South Africa celebrate the wicket of Shreyas Iyer of India during the 1st Betway One Day International match between South Africa and India at Eurolux Boland Park on January 19, 2022 in Paarl, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)

The Proteas proved to be the better side in the first ODI against India in Paarl winning by 31 runs.

South Africa won the toss electing to bat first and posted 297 for 4 powered by an unbeaten 129 from Rassie van der Dussen and 110 from skipper Temba Bavuma.

Van der Dussen and Bavuma shared a double-century partnership that carried the South African effort after a stuttering start.

Umpire Marais Erasmus was standing in his 100th One Day International, an honour recognised by the ICC.

India start well but lose their way

India started their chase well enough reaching 138 for 1 in the 26th over but lost their way through the middle overs.

Shikhar Dhawan’s departure for 79 was followed soon after by the loss of Virat Kohli for 51 which meant that India had two relatively new batsmen at the crease.

A young middle order couldn’t step up with Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant and Venkatesh Iyer departing in successive overs bringing the effort to a screeching halt.

Shardul Thakur struck a maiden ODI fifty in a brave rearguard but by the final over, India had zero hope of actually reaching the total.

Only debutant Marco Jansen failed to take a wicket as the Proteas shared the scalps between them, but Lungi Ngidi should be commended for his key strikes, while Andile Phehlukwayo and Tabraiz Shamsi also took big wickets.

The Proteas gambit to open the bowling with Aiden Markram appeared to pay off even if he finished with figures of 1 for 30 from his six.

India skipper KL Rahul says that his team have a lot to learn on this tour.

“We started really well and couldn’t get wickets in the middle,” Rahul said.

“I didn’t bat after the 20th over so I don’t know if the pitch changed, but Virat and Shikhar said it was a good wicket to bat on once you were set. Unfortunately we couldn’t get those partnerships in the middle.”

South Africa lead the three-match series 1-0 with the next contest taking place on Friday 21 January.