After the Indian side defeated South Africa in the first ODI of the series, former Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar issued a stern warning. On November 30, the Men in Blue took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after winning by 17 runs at the JSCA International Stadium Complex.
Despite losing three top-order batsmen early in the chase, Gavaskar claimed he appreciated the Proteas’ comeback, which saw them win the match. While captain Aiden Markram scored just seven runs off fifteen, Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock left for ducks.
It appeared that the South Africans would fold for a pitiful score at 11/3. Three South African batters—Matthew Breetzke (72 off 80), Marco Jansen (70 off 39), and Corbin Bosch (67 off 51)—registered half-centuries, yet they battled back and narrowly missed winning the high-scoring match.
“Watching South Africa’s comeback was amazing. It was a matter of touch and go right up to the final over, and you have to be impressed by how they managed to survive despite being in terrible shape and down three wickets for eleven runs.
In a Star Sports post-match show, Gavaskar said, “India had better be on guard for the next two games given the way they have retaliated.”
In their allocated 50-over quota, India scored 349/8 thanks to Virat Kohli’s 135 off 120, which included seven sixes and 11 fours. Each of the four bowlers contributed two wickets, with the exception of Prenelan Subrayen.
Raipur (December 3) and Visakhapatnam (December 6) will host the next two One-Day Internationals. The Indian team would be eager to perform better in the white-ball phase of the series after suffering a thumping in the Test series.
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