STATS HIGHLIGHTS
Follow UsA contrasting end to a tour that had a lot of expectations from India, especially after their stint in England and Australia earlier this year. After electing to bat first, India had a good start after Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul posted a 50+ stand for the opening wicket. Then, two wickets fell in quick succession, Dhawan for 29 and Virat Kohli for a five-ball duck. But, skipper Rahul and Rishabh Pant steadied the innings with a 115-run partnership off just 111 balls. Soon after the second drinks break, Rahul fell prey to Sisanda Magala. Pant too, was dismissed for 85. Valuable contributions from Shardul Thakur (40 off 38) and Ravi Ashwin (25 off 24) saw India post 287.
In reply, South Africa’s openers Quinton de Kock and Janeman Malan put on an authoritative partnership of 132. It was followed up by another 80-run partnership between Malan and Temba Bavuma for the second wicket. Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram with an unbeaten 74-run partnership for the fourth wicket, finished off things for South Africa and sealed the ODI series. Here are a few notable stats from the match:
A 50+ opening partnership after ages
For a sub-continent nation, playing in countries like South Africa, it is difficult for the openers to excel. However, Rahul and Dhawan forged an excellent partnership of 63 for the first wicket. This was the first 50+ partnership for India in South Africa after 19 years. The last time an opening partnership hoisted a 50+ in the country was in 2003 against Kenya in Durban and Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag (74) were the pair on that occasion. To emboss more, against South Africa in their backyard, Sourav Ganguly and Tendulkar (101) in 2001 were the last to achieve this feat.
Maharaj the first spinner to dismiss Kohli for a duck
Nothing’s going right in international cricket since 2020 for the star Indian batsman, Kohli. A batsman who used to hit a century every 6.3 innings has gone without one for 58 innings since 2020. In today’s match, it was even worse as he suffered a five-ball duck. This was his 14th duck in ODI and in none of those previous 13 was he dismissed to spinner. Hence, Keshav Maharaj became the first spinner to dismiss Kohli for a duck in ODIs.
Pant's valiant effort in vain
In his small international career, Pant has set high standards among Indian wicket-keepers and already set many records to his name. He has the highest score for an Indian wicket-keeper in England, Australia and South Africa in Tests. In this innings, by virtue of a 71-ball 85, he recorded the highest score for an Indian wicket-keeper in South Africa in ODIs. Among Asians only one wicket-keeper batsman has scored more than him in South Africa and that is Kumar Sangakkara (102).
South Africa chase their first 280+ target since 2017
A team that holds the top two highest run chases in ODI history – 435 in 2006 and 372 in 2016 against Australia – had been struggling to chase 280+ targets in the last four or more years. Out of the 11 times a team had set a target of 280+ against South Africa prior to this match, in none of those 11 had South Africa emerged victorious. But, today was different. By chasing the target with seven wickets to spare, South Africa registered their highest target in ODIs since 2017.
Indian bowlers misery to strike early
Since the start of 2020, the Indian bowling unit has found a developing trouble of not picking up wickets up front. In the first 10 overs in the aforementioned time, India have bagged only nine wickets in 17 innings at a balls/wicket ratio of 113.3, the worst among the top teams. In the second ODI, they went wicket-less in the first 10 overs for the 10th time. As a factor of this initial stutter, India have conceded a century partnership for the opening pair seven times in ODIs since 2020, including today’s 132. No other team has conceded more than three.
All top five scoring 35 or more
Though chasing 280+ at Paarl has been a difficult feat, South Africa in the second ODI did it with ease. The reason behind their successful run chase was all their top five batsmen contributed with 35 or more runs. Malan was the highest scorer with 91, followed by de Kock’s 78. Bavuma (35), Markram (37*) and Dussen(37*). In overall ODI’s this is the fifth time all their top five batters scored 35 or more. To add more, in a chase this is the only instance.