India defeat S Africa by 9 wickets in 2nd ODI at Centurion

Speed Post News Network

Patna : India crushed South Africa by 9 wickets at SuperSport Park, Centurion, South Africa, to go  2-0 up in the six-match ODI series on February 4, 2018, riding on superlative performances by wrist spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldip Yadav. Chahal took 5/22 in 8.2 ovsrs while Kuldip Yadav took 3/20 in 6 overs to bundle out South Africa for a meagre 118 in 32.2 overs.

India then raced to victory in just 20.3 overs scoring 119/1 with opener Shikhar Dhawan making 51 in 50 balls hitting 9 fours and Captain Virat Kohli scoring 46 in 50 balls hitting 4 fours and a six. Rohit Sharma was out for 15 in 17 balls hitting 2 fours and a six.

Interestingly, umpires called players off for lunch when India were 117 in 19 overs and required just 2 runs to win the match. India Captain Virat Kohli was obviously annoyed. The match was resumed after a 40 minute lunch break.

India won the toss and opted to bowl first. The first South African wicket fell on 39 when opener Hashim Amla was out to Bhuvaneshwar Kumar for 23. His opening partner and wicketkeeper Quinton de Cock was out for 20 to Chahal when the score was 51. Stand in Captain Aiden Markram was out for 8 to Kuldip Yadav with the South Africa score reading 51. All rounder David Miller was out to Kuldip Yadav for duck when the score was still 51.

Veteran Jean- Paul Duminy and Khaya Zondo then stitched a 48 run partnership for the 5th wicket with both of them scoring 25 each. Khaya Zondo was out to Chahal when the score was 99 while Duminy was out to Chahal when the score was 107. Chris Morris, who was the 10th batsman to get out, also fell to Chahal. Spinner Imran Tahir was bowled by Jasprit Bumrah for duck.

Interestingly, Aiden Markram was made stand in captain of South Africa despite having experience of just two ODIs. He would lead South Africain remaining four ODI too as Faf du Plessis has been ruled out for the series due to finger injury. A B de Villiers is also not available for the first three ODIs due to finger injury.