On Tuesday, December 19, at St George’s Park in Gqeberha, India and South Africa faced off in the second one-day international of their three-match series.
The Proteas needed to win the second ODI to maintain their series lead after the tourists easily defeated South Africa for just 116 runs in the first ODI. Once again, Aiden Markram won the toss and chose to bowl first. Ruturaj Gaikwad smashed a boundary off the opening ball to Nandre Burger, but he removed the Indian opener with the second ball.
The pacers benefited, as Tilak Varma found it difficult to adjust to the circumstances. The ball spun around and made a significant bounce off a length. Burger overcame Varma in the twelfth over, capping a laborious innings of 10 from 30 balls.
KL Rahul, the acting captain of India, joined Sai Sudharsan, who was playing a fantastic middle-order battle. With cautious play, the pair cobbled together a 68-run stand. With his second successive half-century, Sudharsan left the field. Rahul left after making a stunning 64 from 64 balls, and Sanju Samson, Rinku Singh, and Axar Patel were unable to put in the same level of effort in test conditions.
After the ‘Men in Blue’ were dismissed for 211 in 46.2 overs, India managed to surpass the 200-run threshold thanks to the 18 off 17 balls scored by Arshdeep Singh. The disciplined lines bowled by the Indian fast bowling combination of Arshdeep Singh and Mukesh Kumar frequently broke the two South African openers’ bats.
But they missed the early wickets. Gaikwad also failed to convert a fairly easy chance off Kumar’s bowling at second slip of Reeza Hendricks. The opening batsmen, who overcame a difficult stretch and put together a 130-run partnership, almost won the game.
Hendricks was removed after 52 balls from 81 balls, and De Zorzi and Rassie van der Dussen shared 76 runs for the second wicket. With 45 balls left, the hosts won by eight wickets thanks to De Zorzi’s unbroken score of 119 off 122 balls.
India’s losing captain, KL Rahul, stated:
(On what he wants to change from today) Probably win the toss (smiles). There was a bit of help at the start. It was tough to bat on but a couple of us got set. Had we gone on, we could have gotten 50-60 runs extra and that would have made a difference. (On if 270 was par) When we batted, we thought even 240-250 would have been good. With a set batter, we might have gotten those runs. We lost wickets at crucial times. (On finding the right balance between caution and aggression) Each individual’s game-plan and what they feel comfortable doing, as a team, you have to trust that. Have complete clarity and try to execute it.
There is no right or wrong in cricket and you try to do the job for your team. (On the bowling display) There was a bit of help in the first ten overs. We beat the bat a lot. We could not hold on to one edge. Things might have been different had we held onto that. Not as much help as the first innings though. (Message before the third ODI) We leave what happens on the ground and will try and focus on the next game.
Aiden Markram, the winning captain for South Africa, stated:
(On the game) A lot better than a couple of days ago. Much better overall performance. Much better with the ball and in the field. It was going around when the openers went out to bat. They put up a 100-run partnership and set up the game – that was great. (On the early bowling changes) The breeze played a bit of a factor. It was a fresh wicket so we expected it to go around. Nandre was being wasted from that end, thought he might as well bowl from the other end and throw rockets.
It was fairly simple otherwise – bowl in the right areas and get the most out of the wicket. Not too sure (about the par score). Always felt we were in the game with the ball. It was a tough wicket to bat on but if you applied yourself, you could get big runs. Maybe high 200s (was a par score). (On de Zorzi) It was huge for him. To put in a performance like that, to remain not out at the end and to remember how the crowd was to him, we were pretty much in awe.
It was fantastic to watch. Hopefully the first of many for him, and the dressing room enjoyed it. (On how they turned things around after the first ODI) That was not an acceptable performance. We let ourselves down in the first game. Strong emphasis to chase well, and the mindset was to chase it down well. Much more confident unit, I would assume, after tonight.
South African POTM Tony de Zorzi stated:
It was a flood of emotions (getting to the hundred). Hopefully my mom is watching, and she is back from work. Lot of stuff goes through your head. You just want to thank the people that have been watching out for you and have backed you. JP (Duminy) spoke to me about what they wanted from me and I tried to implement that.
Would have loved to go on at the Wanderers too. Glad I was able to do it today. (On how he describes himself as a player) Not sure how I will do that. I think I am adaptable, decent at adapting to different conditions. Still need to get better, though. (If the feeling of the hundred has sunk in yet) Probably not. But cool to go to the band and to see them with everyone clapping. I will never forget a moment like this.
India
