After winning the test series, it would be really hard for the South Africans to digest the cracking defeat they got in the first ODI. India beat South Africa comprehensively as the team gave a clinical performance in all departments. Virat Kohli was once again spectacular in India’s chase.
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After South Africa posted a total of 269 for 8 India registered a comfortable win by 6 wickets and 4.3 overs to spare. The Indian captain was sensational in India’s chase as he scored 12 from 119 balls. He was supported by Ajinkya Rahane’s brave knock of 79 which came from 86 balls.
Image Source: Times Of India
For South Africa, it was the skipper, Du Plessis who played a captain’s knock. Faf Du Plessis scored his 9th ODI ton on his way to his knock of 120. He was assisted by little cameos by other batsmen.
FAF DU PLESSIS REVEALS REASON OF DEFEAT
Du Plessis, the South African captain in a post-match interview talked about the reasons that led to South Africa’s defeat. The skipper said
“Yeah, we did not bat well today. As a batting unit for the second top score to be 30 something shows that there weren’t any partnerships.” He further added that the basics of ODI cricket include building partnerships.
Du Plessis also added
“I thought the Indian spinners bowled well but still we should have been better today against them. Even though the conditions are challenging, you’re international cricket players so you should adapt to it a little bit better and we didn’t adapt to it at all today.
We lost too many wickets in that middle period, and if you lose wickets, it’s difficult to create any sort of partnership and put pressure back on the opposition,”
India from the very first match now has the upper hand in the series. Also, this was India’s first ever ODI win at Durban and it came at a perfect moment. Once again it was Kohli who led India’s chase and he has rather made it a habit to make chases look so easy.
