By: Drcricket7 Staff
Losing off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in midst of his bowling spell with a side strain injury in the first ODI match against South Africa at the Green Park stadium was a massive blow to the Indian team.
Thereafter, India captain MS Dhoni used the services of his part-time bowlers but the home grown bowlers could do little to stop spectacular AB de Villiers and his men from compiling 303 at the loss of five wickets.
South Africa captain AB de Villiers completed his 21st ODI century and was able to get a good support from Faf du Pleases (62) and Hashim Amla (37) to take the South Africa score to get past the 300-run mark.
In reply, India did well, thanks to their opener Rohit Sharma, who made his 8th ODI hundred. He may have missed the last game at his favourite Eden Gardens due to an unseasonal rain, but compensated with a superb century in Kanpur.
Rohit also shared an important second wicket stand of 149 runs with Ajinkya Rahane, who also justified his place in the team with a fine 60. Just when the pair was threatening to take the match away from the visitors, Rahane got out.
India also lost Virat Kohli early. The stage was then set for Dhoni to finish off things. In the end, the match went down to the wire. Indian captain did what it takes to win the match, but he couldn’t finish off things. Kagiso Rabada took the wicket of Dhoni first and then Stuart Binny to halt the Indian chase.
As long as Dhoni was in the middle, India were in with a chance. He played a superb paddle-shot off dangerous Dale Steyn in the pen-ultimate over of the match. This was the moment of the match when the ball wasn’t coming unto the match that easily.
MS Dhoni got out in the last over. South Africa went over the line with a five-run victory. For a change, South Africa didn’t choke, India did. By the time Rohit Sharma got out, India were still on course for a win.
He made 150 and once proved why he is one of the best Indian batsmen at home. This was also Rohit’s second hundred after his first T20 century in Dharamsala.
Earlier, the Indian pace attack didn’t have a great start to the One-day series. Both Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yada went for runs as containing runs on a placid track in Kanpur wasn’t the easiest job.
Even the slow bowlers struggled. It was only Amit Mishra, who the pick among the Indian bowlers. For South Africa, it was again another leg-spinner Imran Tahir, whose two quick Indian wickets towards the end of the match, titled the game in favour of the Proteas.
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