In reply, Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul opened the innings for India. When Dhawan threw the bat easily, Rahul struggled to find runs. With the team score at 46, Rahul, who scored 12 off 17 balls, lost his wicket. The Indian skipper returned with a catch to De Kok off a part-time bowler Aiden Markram.
Virat Kohli, who replaced Rahul at the crease, started well. With Dhawan’s beating, India jumped. Dhawan scored a half-century to witness Kohli. He scored 50 off 51 balls. Soon following, Kohli and Dhawan put on a half-century partnership and India crossed the 100 mark in 18.3 overs.
Dhawan was dismissed by Keshav Maharaj as the score went well. South Africa were bowled out for 79 off 84 balls. Dhawan scored 79 runs with 10 fours. Dhawan left the crease following a 92 – run partnership with Kohli. Dhawan
Instead, Kohli witnessed Rishabh’s delivery to the crease and scored a half-century. He scored a half-century off 60 balls. This is Kohli’s 63rd ODI half-century. But Kohli’s dismissal shortly following the half – century was a setback for the visitors. Kohli returned with a catch to Bawuma off Tabriz Shamsi. Kohli scored 51 off 63 balls with three fours. Kohli was replaced by Shreyas Iyer at the crease.
Shreyas Iyer, who scored 17, was handed the wicket by De Kok and Ngidi celebrated the wicket. Shortly followingwards, Rishabh dismissed the ball and India smelled defeat. Rishabh stumped Feluccao’s delivery and D’Coque stumped the ball. He scored 16 off 22 balls. With this, India fell to 182 for five. Debutant Venkatesh Iyer, who came later, was also disappointed. Duson’s attempt to score NGD’s bouncer six ended in a draw. Venkatesh scored just two runs. In the end, the fans’ hopes were on Shardul Thakur’s lone fight. Thakur remained unbeaten on 50 off 43 balls.
South Africa won the toss and elected to bat, scoring 296 for four in the allotted 50 overs. Raswander Dasan and skipper Themba Bawuma scored centuries to give South Africa the lead.
Dasan was unbeaten on 129 while Bawuma was dismissed for 110. Bauma and Dasan put South Africa on 68 for three. The duo put on 204 for the fourth wicket.
South Africa won the toss and elected to field. Malan, who scored just six runs, was bowled by Jaspreet Bumri. Quinton Decock and skipper Themba Bauma combined for the second wicket to take the South African score to 50.
But it was not too long before Ravichandran Ashwin broke the Bauma-de Kok alliance. D’Coque, who scored 21 off 41 balls, was bowled clean by Ashwin. Aiden Markram, who replaced D’Coque at the crease, was sent off before the level might be established. Debutant Venkatesh Iyer dismissed Mark for an unnecessary run. Bavuma and Dasan then teamed up at the crease to dominate the South African match.
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