Do-or-die for struggling India vs SA
January 21, 2022  13:15
image

Welcome to the coverage of the second ODI between South Africa and India in Paarl on Friday.

It's a do-or-die match for India, who were comprehensively outplayed with both bat and ball as South Africa, fresh from their Test series triumph, continued the momentum with an easy 31 run victory, in the first ODI on Wednesday.

Virat Kohli played in his first ODI as a specialist batter for India after seven years with K L Rahul taking over the captaincy for the three game ODI series.

Electing to bat, South Africa recovered after a few early wickets to post a healthy 296/4 in their 50 overs.

India, despite fielding five specialist bowlers including two frontline spinners, must be disappointed at their showing as they were unable to make a breakthrough in the middle overs.

Temba Bavuma (110) and Rassie van der Dussen (129) batted for more than 30 overs as they put on 204 runs for the fourth wicket.

With the bat, senior pros Shikhar Dhawan (79) and Virat Kohli (51) brought India back on track courtesy of their 92-run stand for the second wicket after Rahul departed early.

But their dismissals within the space of a few overs saw India lose the way. Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer failed to convert their starts while debutant Venkatesh Iyer made just 2.

Though Shardul made a late dash with an unbeaten 50 from 43 balls, India never really challenged in the run chase as South Africa claimed an easy victory to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

India must be desperate to halt South Africa's winning ways as another loss could see them surrender the ODI series.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES