| 0.0 : If you'd have been told that the ODI series between the top two sides will be a lopsided one, you would have laughed your skins off. Two games into the series, that's what has happened, sadly for the sport. Unlike the second ODI, this one is a day-night game and hopefully the officials would have had their 'meals' and we wouldn't witness a mistimed break. That is only possible if either of the sides collapse quickly and one would hope for that to not happen. Welcome to our coverage of the third |
| For the hosts, their problems do not show signs of subsiding. Quinton de Kock is ruled out and at least one debutant and hence a change, in Heinrich Klaasen, seems a certain. How the new skipper copes with this, would be an interesting watch. The tourists, on the other hand, have done whatever they have done in the first two games, right. Their batting, though, remains to be tested. Will India take an unassailable lead today or do South Africa have something to offer and keep the series alive? S |
| TOSS - Tails is the call... Heads it is! Aiden Markram says SOUTH AFRICA WILL BOWL FIRST. |
| Aiden Markram, the South African skipper, reckons that although India chase well, their decision is based on using the conditions on offer. Adds that he expects the ball to do its bit initially. States that the guys have been working hard and it isn't fair to look too deep and put pressure upon themselves due to one collapse. Informs that there are two debutants in Heinrich Klaasen and Lungi Ngidi. The former will take the gloves in place of de Kock and the latter replaces Morne Morkel, he adds. |
| Virat Kohli, the Indian captain, reckons that they were looking to bat first, as they wanted to change things up and see how they turn up. States that the wicket looks nice and hard, apart from expecting some assistance with the ball later. Says that they will look to make early inroads and put pressure on the opposition middle order, which is already under pressure. Asserts that wrist spinners are a usable commodity on any surface. Mentions about not letting go of the momentum that they have wi |
| PITCH REPORT - Mike Haysman and Neil McKenzie are out their inspecting the playing surface. The former puts up the general stats here, saying that pacers have been dominant at this venue. The latter expects this one to play a bit quicker than the previous two games. Reckons that you can always expect some movement at this venue. Adds that the bounce would be high and an even one. Both of them analyze Virat Kohli's innings in this series and state that he has used his feet nicely against spin, ma |
| So, the clock ticks to 1300 local time, meaning, it's time for play to get underway. The players and the umpires make their way out to the middle. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are the men striding out with the bat for India. The southpaw is on the back of a fifty from the previous game. For South Africa Kagiso Rabada has the first new white rounded object in hand. Remember, their captain had reckoned using the 'helpful' conditions first up. Will they do that? Let's see. Two slips in place. He |
| 0.1 : K Rabada to R Sharma, Runs in from over the wicket and lands it on a length around off and middle. Rohit stays back and presents a straight bat in defense. The ball rolls to the on side. |
| 0.2 : K Rabada to R Sharma, Fuller and just outside off, Rohit watches it and lets it be. A hint of away movement there. |
| 0.3 : K Rabada to R Sharma, Fuller around off, pushed defensively towards covers. |
| 0.4 : K Rabada to R Sharma, EDGED BUT SAFE! Back of a length delivery around off, it bounces more than Sharma expects. It takes the outside half on the splice and lobs towards backward point. Duminy runs in from that position and puts in the dive but the ball lands agonizingly short. |
| 0.5 : K Rabada to R Sharma, Beaten! An appeal made, turned down as well. On a length just outside the line of off, Sharma looks to push it to the off side but fails to make contact. The ball goes to the keeper and Rabada goes up in appeal. However, he is the only one doing so and the umpire stays unmoved. Asks about the DRS to Amla, who isn't convinced either. |
| 0.6 : K Rabada to R Sharma, OUT! Gone? Yes! Didn't seem so on the first look. This is hurled a touch fuller outside off, Rohit looks to play it at first but then tries to withdraw his bat to let it go. Seems to have done well as the ball goes to the keeper. What happens next catches us by surprise. An appeal for caught behind is made and it is upheld as well. Wow! First dismissal for Klaasen behind the wickets. Another look shows why this turns out to be a good decision. Sharma was late in getti |
| Virat Kohli finds himself in the middle in as early as the second over. Also, Lungi Ngidi, the debutant, takes the second new ball from the other end. |
| 1.1 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, FOUR! Wow! What a shot to open your account! Full and angling away from the left-hander, Dhawan gets his stride out and times his drive through covers to perfection. Seems to have done enough there as the ball goes to the fence, beating the man chasing. First run on the board for India in form of a boundary. |
| 1.2 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, The batsman drives the ball straight down the ground. |
| 1.3 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, This is outside off, left alone. |
| 1.4 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, Punched off the back foot to covers. |
| 1.5 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, Length ball on the stumps, defended from the crease. |
| 1.6 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, Bouncer on the stumps, Shikhar ducks to let it be. Decent start from the newcomer. |
| 2.1 : K Rabada to V Kohli, Lovely! In the channel of apprehension outside off, Kohli has a feel for it but misses. Ideal lines for the Indian skipper. |
| 2.2 : K Rabada to V Kohli, Bouncer on the stumps, Kohli ducks to let it be. |
| HUGE MOMENT! Kohli has been adjudged LBW and after a chat with Dhawan he opts for the DRS. Looks to be close. |
| 2.3 : K Rabada to V Kohli, Oh wow! The South African crowd cheers as they want to see Kohli bat. NOT OUT is the call from the TV umpire! Ian Gould cannot believe it. Hurled in line of the stumps, Kohli gets across to flick but misses. The ball hits the pads and goes to the on side. Rabada and the players appeal and the dreaded finger is raised from the umpire, Gould. Kagiso is up in celebration and celebrates the same going towards the batsman. Kohli has a chat with his partner and opts to take i |
| 2.4 : K Rabada to V Kohli, Around off, blocked off the front foot. |
| 2.5 : K Rabada to V Kohli, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 2.6 : K Rabada to V Kohli, FOUR! Not the ideal delivery. Sprayed on the pads, Kohli flicks it away through fine leg for a boundary to get going. An eventful over ends. |
| 3.1 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, FOUR! Delectable. Full and outside off, driven through covers nicely. The ball speeds away to the fence in a trice. |
| 3.2 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, On the pads, flicked away to get to the other end. |
| 3.3 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, This ball is tucked away to fine leg for a single. |
| 3.4 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, FOUR! Well played. Length ball angling away from the southpaw, Dhawan hangs back and opens the face of the bat. Is successful in getting it past the diving second slip. The man at third man runs to his right and puts in the dive, but only manages to parry it away to the fence. |
| 3.5 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 3.6 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, Length ball on the stumps, defended. |
| 4.1 : K Rabada to V Kohli, Full in length around off, defended towards covers. |
| 4.2 : K Rabada to V Kohli, Kohli stays back to this one and blocks it down. |
| 4.3 : K Rabada to V Kohli, WIDE! Full in length, sprayed down leg, Kohli fails to flick it. The ball goes to the keeper, who appeals just to put the umpire off. He isn't fooled and stretches his arms to signal an extra. |
| K Rabada to V Kohli, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 4.4 : K Rabada to V Kohli, FOUR! Authoritative! Short in length around off, Kohli stands tall and pulls it powerfully in front of square on the leg side. The ball races away to the fence. |
| 4.5 : K Rabada to V Kohli, Hurled outside off, left alone. |
| 4.6 : K Rabada to V Kohli, Another ball well outside off, Kohli lets it be. |
| 5.1 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, Ngidi comes round the wicket and hurls it on a length outside off. Dhawan hangs back and slaps it towards third man for a single. |
| 5.2 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, Full outside off, Virat lets it be. |
| Nice point. Mike Haysman states that Morne Morkel has picked up wickets in the last four games. Despite this, the pacer has been benched today. The commentator fails to understand the reason behind this move, especially in such an important clash. |
| 5.3 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, FOUR! Aerial but safe! Fuller angling on the pads, Kohli flicks it a touch in the air. It is well away from the square leg fielder there and he gets a boundary. |
| 5.4 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, Outside off, left alone. |
| 5.5 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, Back of a length ball on off, Kohli hops and keeps it down. |
| 5.6 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, This one is kept out off the back foot to the off side. |
| 6.1 : K Rabada to S Dhawan, Rabada continues over the wicket to the southpaw and lands it on the stumps. Dhawan keeps it out to the on side. |
| 6.2 : K Rabada to S Dhawan, Oh Duminy, well done! This is on a length, slanting away. Shikhar stands tall and cuts it straight to backward point. JP there, does well to not let the ball pass him. |
| 6.3 : K Rabada to S Dhawan, The over-the-wicket angle almost works. It induces the outside edge of Dhawan's bat, which came down for the drive. But the ball rolled well past the lone slip fielder, towards third man for a single. |
| 6.4 : K Rabada to V Kohli, Length delivery on the stumps, Kohli stands back and defends. |
| 6.5 : K Rabada to V Kohli, Blocked watchfully from the crease. |
| 6.6 : K Rabada to V Kohli, Length ball again in line of the stumps, defended from the crease. |
| 7.1 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, Edged but safe, again! Fuller outside off, Dhawan goes for the drive. Gets a thick outside edge past gully for a single. |
| 7.2 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, Fuller around off, clipped to mid-wicket. |
| 7.3 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, FOUR! Delectable cover drive! Full in length outside off, Kohli lines himself up well for that. Gets his front foot to the pitch of the ball and just times his drive through covers for a boundary. Didn't try to hit it too hard. |
| 7.4 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, Good running. Length ball outside off, Virat taps it to the off side and gets across for a single. Dhawan responds before the man from second slip gets to it. |
| 7.5 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, Hurled around off from over the wicket, patted towards covers. |
| 7.6 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, FOUR! No timing, just placement. Length ball outside off, Shikhar looks to smash it through the off side. Mistimes it but finds the gap between covers and backward point. Has enough in it to go to the fence. 10 runs off this over. |
| 8.1 : K Rabada to V Kohli, Hurled around off, VK stays in the crease and defends. |
| 8.2 : K Rabada to V Kohli, 'Aaah' shouts Kohli as soon as he hits it. This was a ball to be driven to the cover fence but he finds the man at mid off with this one. Hence that reaction. |
| 8.3 : K Rabada to V Kohli, What was that? This was bowled on the shorter side, Kohli gets down on a knee to let it pass. But just as an after-thought, he has a waft at that and misses by just. |
| 8.4 : K Rabada to V Kohli, Yorker outside off, Kohli digs it out to the bowler. Rabada throws the ball back and it hits Kohli's shoes before rolling away further. Just a smile in response from the Indian skipper. |
| 8.5 : K Rabada to V Kohli, Flicked off the pads to the on side for a single. |
| 8.6 : K Rabada to S Dhawan, FOUR! How many drives through the off side has Dhawan played since the start? Use Ctrl F to find out. This is hurled full outside off from round the stumps, the southpaw gets a stride out and drives it through covers for another boundary. |
| Regarding the ball on which Kohli took the DRS, the inside edge saved him. If not for that, the skipper would have been sitting in the dugout now, as the Hawk Eye returns umpire's call as the ball would have gone on to clip the leg stump. |
| Chris Morris to run in as the first change. |
| 9.1 : C Morris to V Kohli, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 9.2 : C Morris to V Kohli, Virat stands in the crease and defends this one. |
| 9.3 : C Morris to V Kohli, Ohh! Length ball slanting in to Kohli, he manages only an inside edge towards fine leg for a brace. |
| 9.4 : C Morris to V Kohli, Fuller in length, defended with a straight bat. |
| 9.5 : C Morris to V Kohli, Length ball outside off, Kohli chops it to covers off the back foot. |
| 9.6 : C Morris to V Kohli, FOUR! Streaky! Lucky for Kohli. On a length just outside off, Kohli looks to force it through the off side. Ends up getting an inside edge and the ball goes just past the off pole. There is a short fine leg in place, meaning the ball speeds away to the fence. What's the reason? Low bounce? Or did Kohli misread the length? Perhaps the latter. The initial Powerplay is done, the 50-run stand between the two Delhi lads is up and so is the Indian 50. |
| Time for Powerplay 2. A maximum of 4 fielders can man the boundary line till the 40th over. Also, Andile Phehlukwayo comes into the attack. |
| 10.1 : A Phehlukwayo to S Dhawan, Phehlukwayo comes in from round the wicket and angles it in. Dhawan works it through square leg for one. |
| 10.2 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, Length ball around off, defended watchfully. |
| 10.3 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, Outside off, driven through cover-point for one. |
| 10.4 : A Phehlukwayo to S Dhawan, Dhawan taps this one to the on side and wants a run, but is sent back by Virat. |
| 10.5 : A Phehlukwayo to S Dhawan, Fuller outside off, driven to covers. |
| 10.6 : A Phehlukwayo to S Dhawan, Dhawan dances down the track and blocks it down. |
| 11.1 : C Morris to V Kohli, Length ball outside off, Virat walks across the stumps and flicks it through mid-wicket for a brace. |
| 0.0 : The slip goes out and a mid-wicket comes in place after the previous shot. A short mid-wicket and a mid on in place. |
| 11.2 : C Morris to V Kohli, Short in length, kept out to the on side. |
| 11.3 : C Morris to V Kohli, Risky, risky! Would have been fatal for Dhawan. Kohli taps it to the off side and takes off for a run. Dhawan responds. Duminy gets to the ball from backward point and underarms a throw at the striker's end but misses. The ball rolls deep to the on side but no extra run is taken. Another look shows that Shikhar was not even in the frame. The mind goes back to the mix up between the two in the first ODI. |
| 11.4 : C Morris to S Dhawan, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 11.5 : C Morris to S Dhawan, Short in length, pulled away through backward square leg for a single. Not sure, if the length was there to play the pull. |
| 11.6 : C Morris to V Kohli, Another quick run. Kohli pushes this to mid off and hares to the other end. Don't know whether the throw was aimed at the stumps at the batter's end or at Dhawan. Misses both though. |
| 12.1 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, Fuller outside off, Kohli plays the drive. Ends up slicing it towards third man for a single. |
| 12.2 : A Phehlukwayo to S Dhawan, WIDE! Length ball angling down leg, Dhawan misses the pull. Klaasen dives to his right but fails to collect that. A bye results as a result. |
| A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, The batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 12.3 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, Outside off, slapped through point for a single. |
| 12.4 : A Phehlukwayo to S Dhawan, Length ball, just a bit on the shorter side. Dhawan looks to pull it away but does so just over Markram at mid-wicket. Gets a couple, although the shot selection is questionable yet again. |
| 12.5 : A Phehlukwayo to S Dhawan, Well done, Duminy. Smashed towards backward point. The man there stops it with a dive to his left. |
| 12.6 : A Phehlukwayo to S Dhawan, FOUR! Finally a pull shot played to the right ball. Short and angling down leg, Shikhar gets inside the line and pulls it through fine leg for a boundary. |
| 13.1 : C Morris to V Kohli, Fuller on off, bunted from the crease. |
| 13.2 : C Morris to V Kohli, On the pads, flicked through backward square leg for a single. |
| 13.3 : C Morris to S Dhawan, Banged short, Dhawan lets it go. |
| 13.4 : C Morris to S Dhawan, Slower in pace outside off, Dhawan is early in getting his bat down to play the shot. Ends up getting a bottom edge and the ball goes on the bounce to the keeper. |
| 13.5 : C Morris to S Dhawan, Yorker, dug out towards mid on. |
| 13.6 : C Morris to S Dhawan, Length ball outside off, guided towards third man to retain strike. |
| 14.1 : A Phehlukwayo to S Dhawan, Hurled outside off, slapped past backward point for a brace. Tahir, the man there, doing the mopping up. |
| 14.2 : A Phehlukwayo to S Dhawan, FOUR! Dhawan is getting in the mood now. This is when he starts getting dangerous for the opposition. Reads the leg cutter early and charges down the track. Goes through with the aerial flick shot that he had planned and gets it over mid-wicket. Almost goes the distance. |
| 14.3 : A Phehlukwayo to S Dhawan, Gets to the other end now by playing this to third man. |
| 14.4 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, Slower one on a length outside off, Virat waits a touch and slaps it to deep covers for one. |
| 14.5 : A Phehlukwayo to S Dhawan, This short ball is pulled through square leg for a single. |
| 14.6 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, 10 runs off this over as another delivery on the shorter side is pulled through the leg side in front of square. One run added to the total. |
| 15.1 : C Morris to V Kohli, On a length around off, Virat lets it come on and turns it to mid-wicket for a quick run. A wild throw is hurled at the bowler's end before which the batsman has made it in. |
| 15.2 : C Morris to S Dhawan, Too good a shot for too little. Length ball outside off, Dhawan camps back and punches it powerfully. Finds sweeper in the deep on the off side and gets just one. |
| 15.3 : C Morris to V Kohli, A cry of anguish from Kohli as he doesn't time his slap through covers. This was a length ball, a run taken as the ball goes to the man in the deep. |
| 15.4 : C Morris to S Dhawan, Lazy! Back of a length just outside off, Shikhar moves away from the line and just looks to ramp it away. Misses. |
| 15.5 : C Morris to S Dhawan, FOUR! Timing and placement. Short length ball angling in from round the stumps. It sits up and asks to be hit, Dhawan obliges. The timing on the pull shot is impeccable and it beats fine leg to his right. |
| 15.6 : C Morris to S Dhawan, Another delivery on the shorter side, pulled to deep square leg for one. |
| Drinks are on the field. South Africa would have felt that it's their day today after snapping up Rohit Sharma for a duck and giving Indians a scare with Virat Kohli's dismissal. But the latter survived, thanks to a good use of the DRS. Ever since, it has been a one-way traffic as Shikhar Dhawan and his skipper have went along scoring runs at ease. Yes, there were a few edges here and there in their 87-run unbeaten stand. But they have made sure the hosts toil hard on the field. Kagiso Rabada wa |
| Spin time! Imran Tahir is brought into the attack. Can he be effective on this drier surface? |
| 16.1 : I Tahir to S Dhawan, Floated full on the stumps, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 16.2 : I Tahir to S Dhawan, FOUR! 25th ODI fifty for Shikhar Dhawan, his second in the Rainbow Nation and 4th against the Proteas. Back-to-back ones for him, showing that he is continuing from where he left out on the other day. Gets down on a knee and nails this sweep shot through square leg for a boundary. |
| 16.3 : I Tahir to S Dhawan, Fuller in length, driven down the ground. Rabada does well on the mid off fence and keeps it down to two. |
| 16.4 : I Tahir to S Dhawan, Shorter outside off, Dhawan cuts it straight to short third man. |
| 16.5 : I Tahir to S Dhawan, FOUR! BANG! Dhawan picks up the tossed up wrong one. There wasn't much turn on this one. He goes over mid-wicket and gets a one-bounce boundary. |
| 16.6 : I Tahir to S Dhawan, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. 10 runs off Imran's first over. |
| Lungi Ngidi is back on. |
| 17.1 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, Shot! Length ball outside off, Kohli stands tall and punches it over covers. Gets a brace as a result. |
| 17.2 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, This one is glided to third man for a single. Brings up the 100-run stand between the two at run-a-ball. They have been successful in seizing the early momentum from the opposition. |
| 17.3 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, WIDE! Short and down the leg side, Shikhar misses the pull shot. Wide signaled. |
| L Ngidi to S Dhawan, This one is pulled through square leg to rotate strike. |
| 17.4 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, Hurled on a length around off, defended from the crease. |
| 17.5 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, Driven through covers for a single. |
| 17.6 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, WIDE! Another one down the leg side, SD goes after it but misses. Not the ideal line from Lungi. |
| L Ngidi to S Dhawan, Outside off, pushed through cover-point for one. Without taking an ounce of risk, India get 8 off the over. |
| 18.1 : I Tahir to S Dhawan, Tossed up around middle and leg, Dhawan lunges and works it away through backward square leg for one. |
| 18.2 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Floated full around off, driven back to the left of the bowler. Tahir dives to his left and ends up parrying it towards mid off. A quick run taken. |
| 18.3 : I Tahir to S Dhawan, This ball is kept out to point off the outer half. |
| 18.4 : I Tahir to S Dhawan, Dhawan gets down the track early and milks it down to long off for one. |
| 18.5 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Looped up around off, defended towards covers. |
| 18.6 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Kohli taps it to the off side and wants a run but there's none available. He stays 8 short of a fifty. |
| 19.1 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, FOUR! How are you, thank you, says Dhawan! Short and wide outside off, he stays back and clobber this past backward point for a boundary. |
| 19.2 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, Length ball, slanting in on the body. Shikhar gets inside and nudges it to fine leg for one. Runs coming on both sides of the wicket now. |
| 19.3 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, Length ball on the body, Virat hops and tucks it to fine leg for one. |
| 19.4 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, Short in length, Dhawan whips the pull away for a single through backward square leg. |
| 19.5 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, Excellent running. Length ball outside off, Kohli opens the face of the bat and guides it through backward point. Before the man from third man gets to the ball and returns the throw, a couple is taken. |
| 19.6 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, Kohli retains strike after flicking it to fine leg. |
| 20.1 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Flatter on the stumps, Virat goes back and punches it down to long on for a single. Moves to 47 now. |
| 20.2 : I Tahir to S Dhawan, Dhawan gets down the track and pushes it to long off for a single. |
| 20.3 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Slower through the air around off, Virat pushes it towards covers and gets to the other end. |
| 20.4 : I Tahir to S Dhawan, FOUR! Shikhar Dhawan is bossing Imran Tahir here. Sees the tossed up delivery and gets down the track in a flash. Flicks it in the air and collects a boundary through deep mid-wicket. |
| 20.5 : I Tahir to S Dhawan, Eased through mid off to rotate strike. |
| 20.6 : I Tahir to V Kohli, VK has driven it through mid-off. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| Jean-Paul Duminy is called up for his bowling service. A slip in place for him. Good to see this, as when Tahir came on, there was no one close-in. |
| 21.1 : JP Duminy to V Kohli, 46th ODI fifty for Kohli, to go with a century in the series. This is his sixth against the opposition and fourth in this nation. He gets a nicely tossed up ball around middle, knocks it down to long on and gets to the other end. |
| 21.2 : JP Duminy to S Dhawan, Outside off, pushed through mid off for a single. |
| 21.3 : JP Duminy to V Kohli, This one is worked away to mid on. |
| 21.4 : JP Duminy to V Kohli, Tossed up around off, Kohli looks to drive it through the off side but gets it off the inner half towards mid on. The Indians would relish looking at this turn. |
| 21.5 : JP Duminy to V Kohli, Slower through the air, outside off. Kohli goes back and cuts it powerfully through point. Rabada runs to his left in the deep and puts in the dive. Saves a run for his side. |
| 21.6 : JP Duminy to S Dhawan, Around middle and leg, flicked away to square leg. |
| 22.1 : I Tahir to V Kohli, FOUR! Terrific shot. Flighted delivery on the fuller length around off. Kohli gets his front foot forward and drives it wristily down the ground. Such is the power on that, that long on didn't stand a chance to come in the frame to cut that off. Another look showed that it was the googly and Virat picked up nice and early. |
| 22.2 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Just outside off, it's the googly again. Virat doesn't pick this one early and ends up chopping it to short third man for one. |
| 22.3 : I Tahir to S Dhawan, Defended off the front foot onto the ground. |
| 22.4 : I Tahir to S Dhawan, Tossed up around off, eased through mid off for one. |
| 22.5 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Kohli rotates strike by knocking it to long off. |
| 22.6 : I Tahir to S Dhawan, Landed around off, hit to long off to retain strike. |
| 23.1 : JP Duminy to S Dhawan, OUT! Dhawan throws it away! There was a hundred for the taking, but he has shut shop and let it pass. Tossed up around off, Dhawan gets down the track and looks to go big on the on side. Doesn't get the elevation that he wanted and ends up chipping it towards mid-wicket. Markram has stationed himself there and he takes a wonderful catch tumbling to his left. End of the 140-run association between Dhawan and Kohli, South Africa get a breakthrough against the run of pl |
| 0.0 : Ajinkya Rahane walks in at number 4. He stroked his way to an unbeaten half century in the first game of the series and will make yet another opportunity count here. |
| 23.2 : JP Duminy to A Rahane, Floated around off, driven to long on to open his account. |
| 23.3 : JP Duminy to V Kohli, Now Kohli plays a similar shot and gets to the other end. |
| 23.4 : JP Duminy to A Rahane, No Miller, not done. Served on the stumps, wristed straight to mid-wicket. David there is lazy to get down and lets it through for a single. |
| 23.5 : JP Duminy to V Kohli, Virat has punched the ball off the back foot. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 23.6 : JP Duminy to A Rahane, Duminy comes round the wicket and serves a low full toss. Eased down to long on for one by Ajinkya. A successful over for JP ends. |
| 24.1 : I Tahir to A Rahane, Tossed up around middle, flicked away through square leg for one. |
| 24.2 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Outside off, driven through covers for one. |
| 24.3 : I Tahir to A Rahane, Indecisiveness would have got Rahane here. Flatter just outside off, Rahane is unsure of whether to guide it to third man or block it. Ends up getting an inside past the left of the keeper for a single. |
| 24.4 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Flatter on the pads, Kohli looks to work it on the on side but gets a leading edge towards mid off. |
| 24.5 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Driven straight back towards the bowler, Tahir gets some hand to that but fails to stop that. The ball rolls towards mid on and a run is taken. |
| 24.6 : I Tahir to A Rahane, Driven through mid-on by the batsman. One run added to the total. |
| 25.1 : JP Duminy to A Rahane, Shortish and on off, Rahane gets back and cuts it square of the wicket on the off side for a run. |
| 25.2 : JP Duminy to V Kohli, Misfield and a run is conceded. Flighted full ball outside off, driven through the line and Markram inside the ring at covers fumbled. |
| 25.3 : JP Duminy to A Rahane, The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total. |
| 25.4 : JP Duminy to V Kohli, Good fielding, Miller. Full and on middle, Kohli flicks it across the line but Miller quickly moves across from mid-wicket to stop the ball. |
| 25.5 : JP Duminy to V Kohli, Tossed up ball on middle, worked off the front foot but this time straight to Miller at mid-wicket. |
| 25.6 : JP Duminy to V Kohli, Short and outside off, cut through point for a run. |
| 26.1 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Flatter and on middle, it's punched off the back foot but the mid-wicket fielder has it covered. |
| 26.2 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Leans forward to a full ball and drives it through the gap at covers for one. |
| 26.3 : I Tahir to A Rahane, Rahane uses his feet to get to the pitch of the delivery and eases it past the diving bowler for a run towards long off. |
| 26.4 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Nice loop on this one, full and landing around leg, Kohli tickles it through widish mid on for one. |
| 26.5 : I Tahir to A Rahane, A low full toss this time, on middle, Rahane forces it down to long on and collects a single. |
| 26.6 : I Tahir to V Kohli, A good looking cover drive by the Indian skipper but Markram dives across to his right at extra cover to make an outstanding stop. Four singles from the over. |
| 27.1 : JP Duminy to A Rahane, Loopy full ball on off, Rahane lunges and pushes it with gentle hands to cover-point for a run. |
| 27.2 : JP Duminy to V Kohli, Flighted again, it's full around off, Kohli uses his wrists to flick it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 27.3 : JP Duminy to A Rahane, Aggression shown by Jinx but he fails to middle his shot properly. Jumps out of the crease quite early, seeing that the bowler fires it in, Rahane attempts to flick but gets a leading edge. It goes safely towards Amla at short third man. |
| 27.4 : JP Duminy to A Rahane, OUT! Very unnecessary piece of cricket by Rahane and he has thrown his wicket away. Sunil Gavaskar on air is very angry with the shot selection, says that he just came in and all he needed to do was rotate the strike. Fair point, sir. Duminy has another wicket in the kitty. He serves a loopy full ball on middle, Rahane runs down the track aiming for a big shot across the line but fails to reach the pitch of the delivery early. He ends up miscuing it completely in the |
| This is interesting. Hardik Pandya is promoted in the batting order. |
| 27.5 : JP Duminy to V Kohli, Tossed up ball on middle, turned in the gap at mid-wicket for a run. |
| 27.6 : JP Duminy to H Pandya, Loopy and full outside off, Pandya defends it by getting well forward. |
| Kagiso Rabada is back on. |
| 28.1 : K Rabada to V Kohli, Back of a length ball on off, defended off the back foot. |
| 28.2 : K Rabada to V Kohli, Stands back and tickles it on the leg side. Finds the gap and they take a run. |
| 28.3 : K Rabada to H Pandya, Shortish and on off, defended from the crease by Hardik. |
| 28.4 : K Rabada to H Pandya, Direct hit would have been curtains for Hardik Pandya. India survive a disastrous moment. Pandya tries to tap and run as he pushes it on the off side. The skipper responds but there is no single on offer. The point fielder attacks the ball, takes aim at the non-striker's end but fails to score the direct hit. Pandya was nowhere in the frame. Big let off. Needs to be care with his running. |
| 28.5 : K Rabada to V Kohli, Angles in a length ball on off, Kohli defends it off his back foot. |
| 28.6 : K Rabada to V Kohli, A mishit but Kohli is safe. Short in length and around off, Kohli pulls it more from the top half of the bat than middle and it screams to deep backward square leg. Not carrying to the fielder in the deep and they take a run. |
| 29.1 : JP Duminy to V Kohli, Shout for a run out! Not given. The umpire doesn't feel the need to go upstairs. Flighted full ball outside off, Kohli hammers it back and Duminy gets some fingertips on it as it goes on to destroy the stumps at the other end. They appeal as Hardik was backing up but nothing from the umpire. The replays show that Pandya has plonked his bat in just in time. Not a good technique, should be always dragging it in. |
| 29.2 : JP Duminy to V Kohli, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total. |
| 29.3 : JP Duminy to H Pandya, Knocks a full ball down to long off for a run. |
| 29.4 : JP Duminy to V Kohli, Works it with the spin on the leg side, it's in the gap and they run. |
| 29.5 : JP Duminy to H Pandya, Flatter and a bit shorter around middle, Pandya drags it down fine on the leg side for a brace. |
| 29.6 : JP Duminy to H Pandya, Tossed up ball outside off, driven through covers for a run. |
| 30.1 : K Rabada to H Pandya, Angles in a length ball on middle, Pandya works it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 30.2 : K Rabada to V Kohli, Short in length around off, Kohli stays back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket. The fielder in the deep runs across to his left and they take a couple. |
| 30.3 : K Rabada to V Kohli, Short in length again, probably slower in pace, Kohli is early into the pull shot and hence gets a bottom edge. It however rolls behind safely. |
| 30.4 : K Rabada to V Kohli, On a good length outside off, Kohli looks so good while punching off his back foot. He finds the gap at covers and takes two. |
| 30.5 : K Rabada to V Kohli, This time it's full and outside off, Virat is on the front foot as he strokes it through covers for one. |
| 30.6 : K Rabada to H Pandya, Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 31.1 : JP Duminy to V Kohli, A late cut by Kohli. He goes back to a short ball and dabs it down to third man for a couple. |
| 31.2 : JP Duminy to V Kohli, LEADING EDGE! Tossed up ball on middle, Kohli tries to flick but closes the face of the bat early. It pops out of the leading edge and loops behind the bowler. A run is taken. |
| 31.3 : JP Duminy to H Pandya, SIX! Bang! Duminy tosses it up and lands it full around off, Pandya latches onto it and powers it over the bowler's head for a maximum. He is sent up the order for doing this! |
| 31.4 : JP Duminy to H Pandya, Gets forward to a full ball and pushes it back. |
| 31.5 : JP Duminy to H Pandya, Takes a stride forward to a full ball and taps it quietly in front of backward point. They cross for a quick single. |
| 31.6 : JP Duminy to V Kohli, Shout for an lbw! Tossed up ball outside off, Kohli fails to execute his flick shot and is hit on the pads. They put in an unsuccessful appeal. The replays show that it's spinning and bouncing too much, going over the sticks. |
| Chris Morris is back on. |
| 32.1 : C Morris to H Pandya, The batsman has pushed it to the cover region. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 32.2 : C Morris to V Kohli, Gets forward to a full ball and pierces the off side field with his cover drive. A single results. |
| 32.3 : C Morris to H Pandya, Back of a length delivery around off, Pandya goes on the back foot and punches it straight to the cover fielder. |
| 32.4 : C Morris to H Pandya, This one is full and angled on middle, Pandya plays it off his pads towards mid-wicket. That would have been a good shout for an lbw had he missed. |
| 32.5 : C Morris to H Pandya, OUT! The move to send Pandya up the order has flopped. Morris provides width and plays with the patience of the batsman. Two dot balls before this and Hardik sees the opportunity to free his arms. He flashes his bat at it but gets a thick outside edge behind to the new South African keeper. Klaasen makes no mistake and India have lost their fourth wicket. Good going from South Africa. Morris roars in delight. He knows the importance of this wicket as Hardik Pandya can |
| Drinks break. A good period of play for the Proteas. They have managed to pick three quick wickets and are trying to claw their way back after a big partnership between Kohli and Dhawan. The Indian skipper is still out there and that's the biggest danger for them as he is nearing yet another century. We now enter into an unknown territory as the Indian middle-lower order has not been tested so far. |
| MS Dhoni arrives in the middle. |
| 32.6 : C Morris to MS Dhoni, Lets the ball go outside his off stump. A good over by Chris! |
| 33.1 : JP Duminy to V Kohli, Flighted on middle, flicked towards mid-wicket. |
| 33.2 : JP Duminy to V Kohli, Gets his front leg forward and nudges a full ball through mid on for a run. |
| 33.3 : JP Duminy to MS Dhoni, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 33.4 : JP Duminy to MS Dhoni, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 33.5 : JP Duminy to MS Dhoni, Duminy drags his length short outside off, MS punches it through covers for a run. |
| 33.6 : JP Duminy to V Kohli, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. |
| 34.1 : C Morris to V Kohli, Shout for a catch behind the stumps! Not given by the umpire and when asked by Markram, both the keeper and bowler were unsure about it and hence advised against the usage of DRS. Shortish delivery around middle and leg, angling down, Kohli fails to connect with his pull shot and it goes very closely past his gloves. Klaasen and Morris get excited but the umpire remains still. The replays don't look too conclusive. No Snickometer shown which would have given a better p |
| 34.2 : C Morris to V Kohli, Shortish and outside off, Kohli flashes his blade through the line and edges it down to third man for a run. |
| 34.3 : C Morris to MS Dhoni, It's been driven superbly through the covers. One run added to the total. |
| 34.4 : C Morris to V Kohli, A mistimed pull shot from the bat of Kohli, doesn't carry to the mid-wicket fielder inside the ring. |
| 34.5 : C Morris to V Kohli, Nearly an edge! Clever change in pace by Morris. Bowls it full and wide outside off, Kohli goes for the drive but misses. |
| 34.6 : C Morris to V Kohli, Goes back and guides it to third man. The initial call from Dhoni was no, but then they cross over for a single. |
| 35.1 : JP Duminy to V Kohli, Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| 35.2 : JP Duminy to MS Dhoni, Walks down the track and pushes it down to long on for a run. |
| 35.3 : JP Duminy to V Kohli, Gets forward to a full ball and drives it through covers for one. |
| 35.4 : JP Duminy to MS Dhoni, Lunges to a full ball and pushes it to mid-wicket. |
| 35.5 : JP Duminy to MS Dhoni, Fuller and on middle, Dhoni eases it to the leg side. Duminy and the short mid-wicket fielder converge but it goes through them to long on. A single taken by the pair. |
| 35.6 : JP Duminy to V Kohli, Flatter and fuller on middle, Kohli whips it in through square leg for a couple of runs. 200 up for India! |
| 36.1 : C Morris to MS Dhoni, Pitches it full around off, Dhoni drives it off his front foot but finds mid off. |
| 36.2 : C Morris to MS Dhoni, Lands it on a length outside off, just inside the tramline, Dhoni allows it through. |
| 36.3 : C Morris to MS Dhoni, Another leave outside off from MS Dhoni. Morris has bowled brilliantly in this spell. |
| 36.4 : C Morris to MS Dhoni, Finally a run in the over as Dhoni drives a length ball through covers. |
| 36.5 : C Morris to V Kohli, An off pace delivery, short and wide outside off, Kohli reaches out for it and mistimes his shot towards third man. The strike is rotated. |
| 36.6 : C Morris to MS Dhoni, Too full and on middle, 140 kph, Dhoni flicks it on the leg side and finds the only man inside the ring. Amla stops it at mid-wicket. Just 2 runs from the over. |
| 37.1 : JP Duminy to V Kohli, FOUR! Sliced away! Flighted full ball outside off, Kohli tries to loft it over covers but it goes over point for a boundary. Not where he intended but a boundary nonetheless. |
| 37.2 : JP Duminy to V Kohli, Gets forward to a full ball and drives it through covers for a single. |
| 37.3 : JP Duminy to MS Dhoni, Presses forward and helps it to short fine leg. Rabada misfields and allows a single. |
| 37.4 : JP Duminy to V Kohli, Full flighted on middle, eased down to long on for a run. |
| 37.5 : JP Duminy to MS Dhoni, Advances down the track and defends it back. |
| 37.6 : JP Duminy to MS Dhoni, Once again Dhoni uses his feet but ends up pushing it back to the bowler. Struggling to get going, 6 off 16 balls, MS! |
| Imran Tahir is back on. |
| 38.1 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Short and outside off, Kohli cuts it straight to point. A big cry of anguish from the Indian skipper. |
| 38.2 : I Tahir to V Kohli, A little dab down towards short third man for a single. |
| 38.3 : I Tahir to MS Dhoni, Jumps out of the crease and flicks a full ball to backward square leg for a run. |
| 38.4 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Fullish and on middle, forced down to long on for one. Kohli moves to 99! |
| 38.5 : I Tahir to MS Dhoni, Takes a stride forward to a full ball and pushes it to extra cover. |
| 38.6 : I Tahir to MS Dhoni, Fuller and on leg, Dhoni fails to get it away off his pads. |
| 39.1 : JP Duminy to V Kohli, HUNDRED NUMBER 34 FOR VIRAT KOHLI! It's usual business for the Indian skipper. A quiet celebration from him, just takes his helmet off and acknowledges the crowd. A tossed up ball on middle, Kohli gets back and deflects it towards fine leg for a couple of runs. The run machine continues to inflict damage on the opposition teams. Seems there is no way to stop him at the moment. Batting in a different world altogether. Take a bow, Captain Consistent! |
| 39.2 : JP Duminy to V Kohli, Walks forward to take it on the full and clips it through mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 39.3 : JP Duminy to V Kohli, FOUR! Clears the rope this time. Brings his bottom hand into play and whips it through mid-wicket. No chance to the fielder in the deep this time and a boundary results. |
| 39.4 : JP Duminy to V Kohli, Gets forward and plays it with the spin to mid-wicket. |
| 39.5 : JP Duminy to V Kohli, Finds the gap on the leg side and rotates the strike. |
| 39.6 : JP Duminy to MS Dhoni, Flighted on off, Dhoni leans forward and works it with soft hands through square leg. Immediately calls for two and completes it with ease. 10-0-60-2, JP has done a decent job for his skipper! |
| Andile Phehlukwayo is back on. Slightly more time between the overs as Kohli called for the physio. |
| 40.1 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, Good length ball outside off, a mistimed shot by Kohli towards mid off and he scampers across to the other end for a run. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. |
| 40.2 : A Phehlukwayo to MS Dhoni, Fuller and outside off, Dhoni drives it in his own style, not at all attractive but effective. It's goes through the gap at covers and they change ends. |
| 40.3 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, Angles in a full ball on off, Kohli is on the front foot as he pushes it to covers. |
| 40.4 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, Straighter in line this time as Andile angles it on middle and leg, Kohli plays it straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 40.5 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, Wide! Phehlukwayo attempts a slower one but fails to place it better on the pitch. Too wide outside off, the batsman leaves it and the umpire stretches his arms. |
| A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, Shortish on middle and off, an extra slower delivery, just 99 kph on the speedgun, Kohli defends. One thing to notice here is that the slower ones are gripping the surface. Hmmm... |
| 40.6 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. |
| Change of ends for Imran Tahir. |
| 41.1 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Flatter, quicker and slightly shorter, around off, Kohli plays a late square cut but finds short third man. |
| 41.2 : I Tahir to V Kohli, A mistimed shot, it's IN THE AIR, drops short... Probably a googly by Tahir, this. On the shorter side and Kohli mistimes his pull shot over backward square leg. Phehlukwayo runs in but it falls in front of him. They take a single. |
| 41.3 : I Tahir to MS Dhoni, OUT! Well, well, well, Tahir and Lungi, the Chennai recruits in the Indian T20 League have combined to remove the Chennai skipper. This was coming with MS struggling to get his innings going. He decides to attack the leggie. Dances down the track, tries to emulate his 2011 World Cup winning shot but there isn't enough venom behind the shot. Easily caught by Ngidi at long on. Big wicket for the Proteas. |
| Kedar Jadhav walks in next. |
| 41.4 : I Tahir to K Jadhav, Turning back into the new batsman, Jadhav gets back and taps it on the leg side. They sneak in a quick single. |
| 41.5 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Opens the face of the bat and helps it to third man. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 41.6 : I Tahir to K Jadhav, Slower full ball on off, Kedar defends it to the off side. |
| 42.1 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, Fantastic stop, Markram! Kohli gives the charge and slaps a length ball through the line. Aiden at extra cover dives full length to his left and makes an outstanding stop. Saves four. |
| 42.2 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, FOUR! Width on offer outside off, Kohli latches onto it and thwacks it through point for a cracking boundary. |
| 42.3 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. They pick up a single. |
| 42.4 : A Phehlukwayo to K Jadhav, Wide! Sliding down the leg side, Kedar tries to flick but misses. |
| A Phehlukwayo to K Jadhav, OUT! Catching practice for the wicketkeeper. Not a wicket taking delivery but Jadhav has found a way to make it one. Tries to run a length ball wide outside off to third man but gets a top edge to Klaasen. He makes no mistake, his third catch of the match and he is having a good debut. India in a little bit of bother now. |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the new batsman. |
| 42.5 : A Phehlukwayo to B Kumar, A touch short and outside off, Kumar stands back and taps it down to backward point. |
| 42.6 : A Phehlukwayo to B Kumar, Goes full and on middle, Kumar gets on the front foot to mid on. Good field placement to have the fielder up inside the circle. |
| 43.1 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Misfield saves the day for Bhuvi! A leg spinner landing around off and spins away, Kohli dabs it down to short third man. Miscommunication between the batsmen as Kohli calls for a run but then stops. Kumar is already midway down the pitch, would have been run out but Amla misfields. They complete the run now. |
| 43.2 : I Tahir to B Kumar, Driven towards the mid off region. One run added to the total. |
| 43.3 : I Tahir to V Kohli, FOUR! Shot! No stopping this one. Floated full ball on middle, Virat kneels and nails his shot over mid-wicket for a boundary. Well struck, skipper! |
| 43.4 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| Shout for an lbw! Not given, looks like missing leg but Tahir convinces his skipper to take the DRS. |
| 43.5 : I Tahir to B Kumar, Not out! Missing leg. A quicker delivery, full and on middle, skidding down at 96 kph, Kumar shuffles across to flick but misses. It hits him on the pads, they appeal and the batsmen cross for a couple of times. The umpire signals it leg byes and South Africa go for the referral. Missing leg, confirms the replay. Review lost for the home team. |
| 43.6 : I Tahir to B Kumar, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 44.1 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, Wide! Short and down the leg side, Kohli tries to work it around but misses. |
| A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, Extra slower delivery. It's short and Kohli actually has to wait for quite some time before pulling it towards square leg for a run. |
| 44.2 : A Phehlukwayo to B Kumar, Angling down the leg side, Kumar fails to put bat to ball and it goes off his thigh pad to the leg side. They cross for a leg bye. |
| 44.3 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, FOUR! Wow, glorious! Soothing to the eyes. This man is so attractive to watch when in full flow. It's a slower one, not sure an off cutter or leg cutter, doesn't matter either as Kohli has just lofted it nonchalantly over mid off for a boundary. Effortless. |
| 44.4 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, Bouncer, a slower one, going over the batsman. Kohli has nothing to do with it. |
| A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, Attacks the width outside off and smashes it over point for one. |
| 44.5 : A Phehlukwayo to B Kumar, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single. |
| 44.6 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, Turns it in the gap at mid-wicket for another run in the over. 11 from it, a costly one by Andile. |
| Kagiso Rabada is back into the attack. |
| 45.1 : K Rabada to V Kohli, Good length ball around off, with gentle hands, Kohli works it to mid-wicket and scampers back for the second run. 1000 ODI runs for Virat Kohli against South Africa! |
| 45.2 : K Rabada to V Kohli, Follows the batsman down the leg side with a full ball, Kohli pushes it straight to covers. |
| 45.3 : K Rabada to V Kohli, Digs in a short ball on off, Kohli intentionally keeps his pull shot all along the ground through backward square leg for a run. |
| 45.4 : K Rabada to B Kumar, FOUR! Lovely hit! A length ball around off, Kumar moves back to create room and whacks it past the diving mid off fielder for a boundary. |
| 45.5 : K Rabada to B Kumar, Outside off, dabbed down to third man for a run. |
| 45.6 : K Rabada to V Kohli, Spears in a fuller length ball on middle, Kohli brings down his bat in time and kicks it out through mid-wicket for a run. Retains strike. |
| Chris Morris returns. 7-0-28-1, so far from him. Can he finish well? |
| 46.1 : C Morris to V Kohli, Fuller in length outside off, 134 kph, Kohli strokes it through covers for a single. |
| 0.0 : Long off is called back inside the ring. |
| 46.2 : C Morris to B Kumar, Arrows in a fuller length ball on middle, Kumar digs it out back past his skipper at the other end. It rolls slowly towards mid on and they cross. |
| 46.3 : C Morris to V Kohli, Good length ball on middle, Kohli glances it through square leg for a run. |
| 46.4 : C Morris to B Kumar, Looks like a slower delivery, full and on middle, Kumar pushes it with an angled bat to point for a run. The speedgun reads 133 kph. Surely that's not the case. |
| 46.5 : C Morris to V Kohli, Full toss around off, knocked down to long on for a run. |
| 46.6 : C Morris to B Kumar, Too full and on off, Kumar moves back and squeezes it out to point. Straight to Amla and it ends an excellent over, just 5 singles off it. |
| 47.1 : K Rabada to V Kohli, Very full and on middle, Kohli tickles it off his pads to deep square leg for a run. |
| 47.2 : K Rabada to B Kumar, David Miller nearly takes a stunner. What an effort to get there, at least! A mistimed pull shot by Kumar to a well-directed short delivery and it balloons in the air in front of square leg. Miller runs across to his right from mid-wicket, dives full length but fails to hold on to the catch. Maybe, going with two hands would have been a better option. The batsmen cross. |
| 47.3 : K Rabada to V Kohli, Sliding down the leg side, Kohli tries to flick but misses. They appeal and the umpire turns to signal a wide. |
| K Rabada to V Kohli, Sharp delivery, short and around off at 141 kph, Kohli is beaten for pace as he attempts the pull shot. |
| 47.4 : K Rabada to V Kohli, Kohli has driven it through mid on. They pick up a single. |
| 47.5 : K Rabada to B Kumar, Bowls it wide outside off, Kumar hangs back and drills it to extra cover. Only a run. |
| 47.6 : K Rabada to V Kohli, Tries a yorker probably but it ends up being a full toss. Kohli forces it down to long on for a run. |
| 48.1 : C Morris to V Kohli, A low full toss on middle, Virat hits it down to long on for one. |
| 48.2 : C Morris to B Kumar, Slower delivery, wide outside off, a full toss, Kumar throws his bat at it and drags it off the inside edge to the leg side. They take a run. |
| 48.3 : C Morris to V Kohli, SIX! But an excellent piece of fielding by Miller too. The catch won't count but don't take anything away from his effort. Fuller in length and on middle, Kohli launches it over widish mid on and Miller rushes across to his right in the deep. He dives to take the catch but the momentum takes him beyond the rope. He didn't get the opportunity to release the ball. My colleague pings, this would have been one of of those rare instances where a fielding side would have hop |
| 48.4 : C Morris to V Kohli, Goes hard at a length ball outside off and gets an inside edge towards square leg for a run. |
| 48.5 : C Morris to B Kumar, Follows the batsman down the leg side with a length ball, Kumar pats it down to point for one. 50-run stand comes up! |
| 48.6 : C Morris to V Kohli, Wide! Down the leg side, Kohli fails to flick. |
| C Morris to V Kohli, A full toss on middle, Kohli powers it over mid-wicket for a run. 12 from this over, spoiling Morris' bowling figures. |
| 49.1 : K Rabada to V Kohli, Third 150-plus score for Virat Kohli in ODIs, first as the skipper of the Indian cricket team. He is just getting better with every passing day. A short ball on off, Kohli pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run. Seems he is running out of gas, no celebration this time, just a raise of the arm to acknowledge the crowd. |
| 49.2 : K Rabada to B Kumar, Outside off, Kumar flashes and misses. |
| 49.3 : K Rabada to B Kumar, Short ball on middle, pulled in the gap on the leg side for a brace. |
| 49.4 : K Rabada to B Kumar, Wide! Very wide outside off, flirting with the tramline, Kumar leaves it. |
| K Rabada to B Kumar, Short in length, Kumar tries to pull but ends up dragging it off the inside half of the bat. It rolls in the gap at square leg and they cross. |
| 49.5 : K Rabada to V Kohli, SIX! Going...going...gone! Kohli has nailed this one. Rabada is on the shorter side around off, Virat swivels on the back foot and muscles his pull shot over mid-wicket for a biggie. |
| 49.6 : K Rabada to V Kohli, FOUR! Finishes it off in style! Rabada overpitches around off, Kohli attacks it with all his might and drills it down the ground for a boundary at long off. INDIA END ON 303/6! |
| JP Duminy is caught on the sidelines. He says it is nice to get an opportunity to take two wickets. Reckons that his mindset is always to pick up wickets and it doesn't matter how he gets them. States that there is turn on the surface yet is upbeat about his team's chances of gunning this down. Iterates that being positive is the way forward in spite of the opposition bowlers taking regular wickets. |
| Yet another grand knock from a special batsman! Virat Kohli, you beauty. Extraordinary innings. He held one end tightly and in spite of losing partners at regular intervals, he remained unfazed. This is also his longest innings in ODIs in terms of balls faced. Mind you, conditions are not very conducive and you have to be as fit as him to survive for so long. All those hours in the gym really paid off. |
| After suffering an early blow in their innings, the Delhi duo combined forces to provide India with a smooth sail. They were involved in a massive 140-run stand for the second wicket and put the touring team in a position to score a big total. However, they stuttered in the middle overs. The introduction of the part-time spin of JP Duminy brought a couple of wickets and then they lost Hardik Pandya cheaply who was promoted up the order. MS Dhoni also struggled to get going and the untested middl |
| The presence of Virat Kohli in the middle though meant that runs kept coming from one end and he found an able partner in Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Together they managed a crucial unbeaten 67-run partnership off 44 balls which pushed the Indian score over the 300-run mark. It was a flavourless bowling performance by the Proteas with the exception of JP Duminy and Chris Morris, who were impressive in the middle overs. The pitch seems to be two-paced once the ball gets old, so the start will be very impo |
| 0.0 : Back for the chase! Hashim Amla has a new partner in skipper Aiden Markram. South Africa need a solid beginning from this pair. For India, it's Bhuvneshwar Kumar to kickoff proceedings. A single slip in place. Here we go... |
| 0.1 : B Kumar to H Amla, Off the mark first ball, Amla! Kumar offers width outside off, Hashim slaps it through covers and there is a sweeper in place, interestingly. A single results. |
| 0.2 : B Kumar to A Markram, Good length ball on off, Markram defends it off his back foot. |
| 0.3 : B Kumar to A Markram, Once again it's on a length around off, Markram punches it from the crease to covers and shouts nooooo. |
| 0.4 : B Kumar to A Markram, Kumar lands it on a good length on off, it's tapped off the back foot to covers. |
| 0.5 : B Kumar to A Markram, Another back foot punch by Aiden but he finds the cover fielder. |
| 0.6 : B Kumar to A Markram, Kumar goes full this time, outside off, Markram drives but this time finds the mid off fielder. Tidy beginning by India. |
| Jasprit Bumrah to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : J Bumrah to H Amla, OUT! Bumrah strikes off his first delivery! Dream start for India with the ball. He runs in from over the wicket and lands it on a length around off. Amla hops to flick it away but misses and is caught right in front of the stumps. The Indians go up in appeal and get the nod from the umpire. Amla has a chat with his skipper at the other end, who says it isn't a good idea to review that. He is right there as the Hawk Eye returns three reds. The home side is jolted early i |
| JP Duminy walks in one drop for the hosts. Can this promotion do him and his side a world of good? Remember, he had a good outing with the ball earlier today. |
| 1.2 : J Bumrah to JP Duminy, Fuller outside off, driven to mid off. |
| 1.3 : J Bumrah to JP Duminy, FOUR! Misdirected delivery, taken full toll of. Length ball on the pads, Duminy gets inside the line and nudges it fine down the leg side for his and his side's first boundary. Nice way to get going. |
| 1.4 : J Bumrah to JP Duminy, Duminy drives it wide of mid off and quickly gets to the other end. |
| 1.5 : J Bumrah to A Markram, Length ball outside off, blocked to the off side. |
| 1.6 : J Bumrah to A Markram, This is hurled outside off, kept out towards covers. Good start for Bumrah and India. |
| Wait on, shouts Duminy, as Kumar runs in to bowl the delivery. Some disturbance behind the sightscreen, perhaps. |
| 2.1 : B Kumar to JP Duminy, Length ball on middle, too straight in line, Duminy tucks it off his pads but finds the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 2.2 : B Kumar to JP Duminy, Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 2.3 : B Kumar to JP Duminy, Gets behind the line of the delivery and blocks it safely. |
| 2.4 : B Kumar to JP Duminy, Shortish ball wide outside off, cut through point for a couple of runs. |
| 2.5 : B Kumar to JP Duminy, Sliding down the leg side, nudged away to fine leg for a run. |
| 2.6 : B Kumar to A Markram, That's a good shot but there is a man out in the deep. Good ploy this by the Indian skipper. Not giving away easy boundaries. A length ball outside off, a delightful looking cover drive by Markram but it results in only a run. |
| 3.1 : J Bumrah to A Markram, Full in length and outside off, Aiden is on the front foot as he defends it to the off side. Loud shout of nooo follows. He wants to be loud and clear in his calling. |
| 3.2 : J Bumrah to A Markram, This one is a little too full around off, Markram drives it off his front foot to mid off and immediately calls for a single. Duminy responds and it's completed with ease. |
| 3.3 : J Bumrah to JP Duminy, Stop, Chahal! Bumrah serves it short and outside off, JP stands back and blazes his pull shot across the line. It had boundary written all over it but the little man, Chahal dives to his left at mid-wicket to make an excellent stop. |
| 3.4 : J Bumrah to JP Duminy, Good length ball on middle and off, defended off the back foot. |
| 3.5 : J Bumrah to JP Duminy, Once again it has been defended from the back foot by Duminy. |
| 3.6 : J Bumrah to JP Duminy, FOUR! Beautiful shot! Bumrah overpitches it outside off, Duminy presses forward and caresses it past mid off's right. A dive was needed but it never came. Once it crossed the ring, it was always a boundary. |
| 4.1 : B Kumar to A Markram, Shortish and outside off, Markram taps it down to short third man. |
| 4.2 : B Kumar to A Markram, SIX! Skipper has cleared the rope here! This is an outstanding pitch for stroke making. Markram rocks back, fetches a short ball from outside off and clubs it over long on for a biggie. |
| 4.3 : B Kumar to A Markram, FOUR! Gorgeous! A length ball this time, outside off, Markram strides forward and drives it crisply through covers for a glorious boundary. If the last shot was more of a tennis forehand, this was a proper cricketing shot. |
| Third man comes up, cover drops back. |
| 4.4 : B Kumar to A Markram, And that fielder straightaway comes into action. On a length outside off, it's steered through cover-point for one. |
| 4.5 : B Kumar to JP Duminy, Back of a length delivery on middle and off, Duminy goes on his toes and keeps it out off the toe end of the bat. |
| 4.6 : B Kumar to JP Duminy, Fractionally short in length around off, JP punches it off his back foot to covers. 11 from the over, a good one for the Proteas! |
| 5.1 : J Bumrah to A Markram, Room on offer outside off, Aiden Markram runs it down to third man and runs back for the second run. |
| 5.2 : J Bumrah to A Markram, A length ball on off, Markram defends it off his front foot to the off side. |
| 5.3 : J Bumrah to A Markram, Angles in a length ball on middle, it's defended off the back foot to the leg side. |
| 5.4 : J Bumrah to A Markram, Fullish and outside off, Markram pushes it off his front foot to mid on. |
| 5.5 : J Bumrah to A Markram, Pitches it up and outside off, Markram times his off drive well but fails to place it better. Straight to mid off. |
| 5.6 : J Bumrah to A Markram, Miscommunication but no harm done. Good length delivery on off, Markram strokes it off his back leg to cover-point. The fielder there parries it towards covers and Duminy thinks about a single. He is sent back immediately as the fielder has a wild shy at his end. |
| 6.1 : B Kumar to JP Duminy, Shortish ball on off, Duminy stands tall and punches it to covers. |
| 6.2 : B Kumar to JP Duminy, Good length ball on middle, Duminy glances it off his hips through square leg. Good enough for a couple of runs. |
| 6.3 : B Kumar to JP Duminy, Around off on a good length, it's played from the back foot to covers. |
| 6.4 : B Kumar to JP Duminy, FOUR! Poor line with fine leg up inside the circle. Kumar errs and serves on the pads, Duminy deflects it past the fielder at 45 for a boundary. |
| 6.5 : B Kumar to JP Duminy, Full and on middle and off, JP presents a straight bat in defense. |
| 6.6 : B Kumar to JP Duminy, Once again it's full and on middle, Duminy plays it off his pads to mid-wicket. |
| 7.1 : J Bumrah to A Markram, Good length delivery around off, Markram goes back and taps it wide of first slip. They cross for a run. |
| 7.2 : J Bumrah to JP Duminy, Bumrah runs in from round the wicket with a wide first slip. He angles in a length ball around off, Duminy covers the line and defends it to the off side. |
| 7.3 : J Bumrah to JP Duminy, This one jags back into the batsman from a length around off. Duminy gets cramped for room and takes a blow on his back leg. |
| 7.4 : J Bumrah to JP Duminy, On a length and angling into the batsman, Duminy wrists it in front of square leg and the fielder gives the chase from the circle. Jadhav also gets across to his right from fine leg to stop the ball near the fence. They take two and one for his weak throw. |
| 7.5 : J Bumrah to A Markram, Slower delivery, on a fuller length outside off, Aiden drives it off his front foot to mid off. |
| 7.6 : J Bumrah to A Markram, Good fielding! A back of a length ball around off, it's punched straight back past the bowler. Kuldeep runs across to his left from mid on and dives to parry it towards his skipper, who has come from mid off. They take a couple. |
| 8.1 : B Kumar to JP Duminy, Angling away from the southpaw, Duminy just guides it down to third man for a run. They are playing risk free cricket at the moment. |
| 8.2 : B Kumar to A Markram, Shortish and on off, Markram punches it firmly to sweeper cover for a run. |
| 8.3 : B Kumar to JP Duminy, FOUR! Cleverly done. Kumar once again bowls a length ball which is leaving the left-hander outside off. Duminy waits for it quietly inside the crease and at the last moment just runs it down to third man. The fielder is a bit square in the deep and he has no chance of cutting it off. |
| 8.4 : B Kumar to JP Duminy, On a length around off, Duminy sticks back to push through the line but gets it away from the inner half of the bat to mid-wicket. |
| 8.5 : B Kumar to JP Duminy, Another one which takes the inner side of the blade. Duminy was looking to drive through the line but ends up pushing it towards mid on. |
| 8.6 : B Kumar to JP Duminy, A little bit of room outside off, JP sends the ball for a walk at third man and collects a single. 7 runs from the over without taking any risk. |
| Hardik Pandya is into the attack now. |
| 9.1 : H Pandya to JP Duminy, Good length ball on middle and off, Duminy gets it away from the inner portion of the bat to short fine leg. They cross for a single. |
| 9.2 : H Pandya to A Markram, Full and around off, it's pushed off the front foot back to the bowler. |
| 9.3 : H Pandya to A Markram, Almost a run out! Slower full ball outside off, Aiden pushes it to covers, straight towards the fielder and his partner still looks for a run. Rohit has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Would have been touch and go! |
| 9.4 : H Pandya to A Markram, Ooohhh...Pandya runs his fingers over the ball and lets out a cutter around off. Markram reads it a bit late and while trying to keep it out, he gets an inside edge. The ball gets stuck between his legs before falling close to the stumps. |
| 9.5 : H Pandya to A Markram, Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 9.6 : H Pandya to A Markram, Goes on the back foot to cover the line and defends it back. |
| Powerplay 2 time. The field can relax now with a maximum of 4 fielders allowed outside the ring until the 40th over. Now comes the real test, it's spin time. Yuzvendra Chahal to bowl with a leg slip. |
| 10.1 : Y Chahal to JP Duminy, Tossed up ball on middle, played in front of square leg for a run. |
| 10.2 : Y Chahal to A Markram, Flighted and on middle, Markram leans forward and defends. |
| 10.3 : Y Chahal to A Markram, Gives this one some extra air but forgets to land it. It's a full toss on middle, Markram knocks it down to long on for a run. Applause from the crowd as 50 comes up for South Africa. |
| 10.4 : Y Chahal to JP Duminy, Sharp inward spin from around middle, Duminy fails to flick and is hit on the pads. Dhoni from behind the stumps shouts that the ball is spinning too much on its own and there is no need to try anything extra. |
| 10.5 : Y Chahal to JP Duminy, Duminy has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 10.6 : Y Chahal to JP Duminy, Uses his feet to run down the track and forces it down to long on for one. 50-run stand comes up! |
| 11.1 : H Pandya to JP Duminy, Play and a miss! Back of a length ball around off, angling away, Duminy tries to play the cross-batted shot but fails to connect. |
| 11.2 : H Pandya to JP Duminy, An off cutter, straighter in line, JP nudges it behind square leg and takes a single. |
| 11.3 : H Pandya to A Markram, Angles in a length ball on middle, it's punched from the back foot past the mid-wicket fielder for a run. |
| 11.4 : H Pandya to JP Duminy, Wicket to wicket line, on a length, Duminy stays back and taps it down just beside the pitch. Dhoni runs forward and across to his left to collect the ball and they cross for one. |
| 11.5 : H Pandya to A Markram, A rising delivery around off, Markram goes on his toes and deflects it down to third man for a run. |
| 11.6 : H Pandya to JP Duminy, Duminy offers the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 12.1 : Y Chahal to A Markram, Quicker full ball on off, a slider, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 12.2 : Y Chahal to A Markram, Fires in a fuller length ball on middle, Markram plays it down to long on for a run. |
| 12.3 : Y Chahal to JP Duminy, Edged! Didn't pick him there. A wrong 'un around off, Duminy plays for the leg spin and edges it past Dhoni and short third man. A couple taken. |
| 12.4 : Y Chahal to JP Duminy, Floated ball on off, Duminy defends it off his front foot. |
| 12.5 : Y Chahal to JP Duminy, Flatter one, full around leg, Duminy fails to sweep and it goes off his pads to fine leg. They appeal and the batsmen cross. Given as a leg bye. Probably pitched outside leg too. |
| 12.6 : Y Chahal to A Markram, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| 13.1 : H Pandya to A Markram, Short around off, Markram plays a controlled hook shot to fine leg for a run. |
| 13.2 : H Pandya to JP Duminy, Short in length on middle, Duminy cracks his pull shot through backward square leg and it runs away. Jadhav does an excellent job to stop it in the deep by sprinting across to his right. A couple taken and it seems Jadhav has hurt his left ankle in the process. |
| 13.3 : H Pandya to JP Duminy, Played to the point region by the batsman. No run. |
| 13.4 : H Pandya to JP Duminy, This one cuts back into the batsman to cramp Duminy. It goes off his thigh pad to Dhoni. |
| 13.5 : H Pandya to JP Duminy, Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman. One run added to the total. |
| 13.6 : H Pandya to A Markram, FOUR! Nice shot! Markram stands back to a shortish ball and powers it over mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 14.1 : Y Chahal to JP Duminy, Flighted around leg, eased down to long on for one. |
| 14.2 : Y Chahal to A Markram, Gets on the front foot and drives it through mid off for a single. |
| 14.3 : Y Chahal to JP Duminy, Gives the charge to take it on the full and hits it to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. |
| 14.4 : Y Chahal to JP Duminy, Slower through the air, full and around off, spinning back in a bit, Duminy gets forward and defends it calmly to the off side. |
| 14.5 : Y Chahal to JP Duminy, Duminy has driven it through mid off. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 14.6 : Y Chahal to A Markram, Jumps out of the crease to a full ball and forces it down to long on for a run. So far, so good against the spinners. We heard that in the build up to this game, they practiced a lot against wrist spinners in the net. Seems, it's working. |
| 15.1 : H Pandya to A Markram, Fullish and outside off, a good looking cover drive for one. |
| 15.2 : H Pandya to JP Duminy, Short in length and outside off, Duminy gets on top of the bounce and steers it through point for a couple of runs. |
| 15.3 : H Pandya to JP Duminy, Fuller and in the line of the stumps, Duminy gets behind it and pushes it to the off side. |
| 15.4 : H Pandya to JP Duminy, Slower delivery around off, on a good length, Duminy taps it down to point. |
| 15.5 : H Pandya to JP Duminy, A length ball around off, Duminy hits it down to mid on. |
| 15.6 : H Pandya to JP Duminy, Plays this one nice and late. Places it towards point and retains strike with a single. |
| Kuldeep Yadav replaces Chahal in the attack. |
| 16.1 : K Yadav to JP Duminy, Slower in pace but flatter through the air, Duminy goes back and punches it to sweeper cover for one. |
| 16.2 : K Yadav to A Markram, OUT! 400th dismissal for MS Dhoni in ODIs! Kuldeep slows this up in the air and lands it full around middle. Markram fails to read the googly there as he walks forward to flick it on the leg side. But the ball spins away to beat the outside edge and Dhoni takes the bails off in a flash. The chinaman strikes almost immediately and South Africa will hope this has not opened the floodgates. End of a handy partnership too. 225 needed off 202 balls! |
| Heinrich Klaasen, the debutant, arrives in the middle. A slip and leg slip in place. |
| 16.3 : K Yadav to H Klaasen, Turning back into the right-hander, Klaasen goes back and defends it to the leg side. |
| 16.4 : K Yadav to H Klaasen, This one spins the other way, Klaasen goes back again and punches it to covers. |
| 16.5 : K Yadav to H Klaasen, Klaasen has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 16.6 : K Yadav to H Klaasen, Another slower delivery, full and outside off, it's driven to mid off. Successful first over by Yadav! |
| 17.1 : H Pandya to JP Duminy, On the pads, helped through square leg for a run. |
| 17.2 : H Pandya to H Klaasen, Gets off the mark, Klaasen. He goes on the back foot and punches it through covers for a single. |
| 17.3 : H Pandya to JP Duminy, Fuller and outside off, driven to mid off. |
| 17.4 : H Pandya to JP Duminy, Goes back to hit it square of the wicket on the off side. Rahane makes a super stop at point. |
| 17.5 : H Pandya to JP Duminy, Driven through the covers by the batsman. Two runs added to the total. |
| 17.6 : H Pandya to JP Duminy, A stifled appeal for an lbw! Duminy fails to work it around the corner and takes a blow on his pads. They appeal, rather mutedly, nothing from the umpire. Probably, it pitched outside leg. |
| 18.1 : K Yadav to H Klaasen, Leans forward to a full ball outside off and drives it to covers. |
| 18.2 : K Yadav to H Klaasen, FOUR! Unforced error in the field. Who is the culprit? It's Bhuvneshwar. Loopy and full outside off, Klaasen presses forward and drills it through the line. Kumar runs across to his right at the edge of mid off but dives over the ball and lets it through for a boundary. |
| 18.3 : K Yadav to H Klaasen, Beautifully bowled. Turning back into the batsman from outside off, Klaasen tries to force it through covers but gets an inside edge back towards the bowler. |
| 18.4 : K Yadav to H Klaasen, Kuldeep is just toying with the newcomer. Bowls a googly now, around off and it curls away from the batsman. |
| 18.5 : K Yadav to H Klaasen, Full and outside off, driven down through mid on for a run. |
| 18.6 : K Yadav to JP Duminy, Duminy has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. Testing over. |
| Spin from both ends now. Yuzvendra Chahal is brought back into the attack. |
| 19.1 : Y Chahal to H Klaasen, Tossed up ball on off, driven back to the bowler. |
| 19.2 : Y Chahal to H Klaasen, OUT! Trapped in front! Chahal also tastes blood. Ominous signs for the Proteas. Is this once again going the same way like the last ODI? A nicely tossed up leg spinner, landing on leg and spinning away to beat the bat of Klaasen. He is rapped on the back leg, they appeal and the finger goes up almost immediately. The debutant has a chat with his senior partner but Duminy advises against the use of DRS. Heinrich walks back and South Africa lose their third wicket. |
| David Miller is the new batsman. |
| 19.3 : Y Chahal to D Miller, Quicker one, full and on middle, 85 kph, it's flicked through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 19.4 : Y Chahal to JP Duminy, Gets back and punches it down the ground for a single. |
| 19.5 : Y Chahal to D Miller, A googly landing full around off, Miller fails to pick it as he draws forward to defend. It goes off the outside edge towards the slip region. |
| 19.6 : Y Chahal to D Miller, The batsman gets an inside edge and the ball hits him on the pads. |
| 20.1 : K Yadav to JP Duminy, Duminy has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 20.2 : K Yadav to JP Duminy, Gets on the front foot to a full ball and pushes it to covers. |
| 20.3 : K Yadav to JP Duminy, 25th ODI fifty for JP Duminy, gets one after 17 innings. Fuller and on middle, Duminy clips it a bit aerially towards backward square leg for a run. A good knock so far from him but his team needs more. |
| 20.4 : K Yadav to D Miller, Googly on middle, Miller inside edges it towards short fine leg. |
| 20.5 : K Yadav to D Miller, The batsman has driven it through mid off. |
| 20.6 : K Yadav to D Miller, Miller has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 21.1 : Y Chahal to JP Duminy, Short and outside off, cut straight to point. |
| 21.2 : Y Chahal to JP Duminy, Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman. One run added to the total. |
| 21.3 : Y Chahal to D Miller, Allows the ball to spin back in and works it through square leg for a couple. |
| 21.4 : Y Chahal to D Miller, Tossed up ball on middle, swept through square leg for a run. |
| Shout for an lbw! Up goes the finger and JP Duminy reviews it. Spinning too much but is it missing leg? |
| 21.5 : Y Chahal to JP Duminy, OUT! That's hitting leg and Duminy, the set batsman, has to depart. Body blow to South Africa's chances. Chahal has his second. Another traditional leg spinner has earned him a wicket. He lands it around off and gets it to spin back into the left-hander. Duminy stays back to flick it on the leg side but misses. It thuds him on the pads, they appeal and this time the umpire thinks a bit before lifting his finger. JP Duminy has a chat with his partner before taking the |
| Khaya Zondo is the new batsman. |
| 21.6 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, Turning back into the batsman, Zondo leans to defend but it takes the inside edge and rolls to short fine leg for a run. |
| 22.1 : K Yadav to K Zondo, Zondo has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 22.2 : K Yadav to K Zondo, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 22.3 : K Yadav to K Zondo, Gets forward to a full ball and defends. |
| 22.4 : K Yadav to K Zondo, Another forward defense by Zondo. Don't think he is picking Kuldeep from his hand. |
| 22.5 : K Yadav to K Zondo, This one is served full and wide outside off, Zondo drives but finds extra cover. |
| 22.6 : K Yadav to K Zondo, Allows the ball to spin back in and goes back in defense. Maiden! |
| 23.1 : Y Chahal to D Miller, Flighted and full on leg, Miller tries to flick but misses. |
| 23.2 : Y Chahal to D Miller, Tossed up ball on off, Miller blocks it off his front leg. |
| 23.3 : Y Chahal to D Miller, Fuller and down the leg side, Miller eases it through square leg for a couple of runs. |
| 23.4 : Y Chahal to D Miller, Loopy and full around leg, Miller reverse sweeps it to point and takes a run. |
| Two slips in place for the right-hander. |
| 23.5 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, Spinning away from the batsman, Zondo goes on the back foot and taps it wide of second slip. |
| 23.6 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, This one is very full and on middle, it's worked through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 24.1 : K Yadav to K Zondo, Jumps out of the crease and drives it uppishly back towards the bowler. Kuldeep dives to his left but fails to reach. It runs down to long off and they take a run. |
| 24.2 : K Yadav to D Miller, Flighted and around off, Miller draws forward and drills his drive to long off for a single. |
| 24.3 : K Yadav to K Zondo, Not a good idea, Zondo. He goes deep inside the crease to a full ball and blocks it at the last moment. Picking the spin from the pitch won't help. It won't give you enough time to react, Khaya. Get forward. Don't over-commit though. |
| 24.4 : K Yadav to K Zondo, This is better. Zondo lunges to a full ball around off and defends it. |
| 24.5 : K Yadav to K Zondo, Once again Khaya is on the front foot to a full ball and blocks it back. |
| 24.6 : K Yadav to K Zondo, Yadav comes from around the wicket and pulls his length back a bit. It spins back in and Zondo goes on the back foot in defense. |
| Meanwhile, Kedar Jadhav has gone off the field. A groin niggle, reckons Shaun Pollock on air. We remember him flinching after fielding a ball at deep square leg after running there from fine leg earlier in the innings. |
| 25.1 : Y Chahal to D Miller, Flatter on the pads, worked away through square leg for one. |
| 25.2 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, Tossed up ball, Zondo comes down the track and drives it to long on for one. |
| 25.3 : Y Chahal to D Miller, Around off, knocked through mid off to get to the other end. |
| 25.4 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, Floated outside off, pushed back to the left of the bowler. Chahal cannot reach it with a dive and lets a single to be taken. |
| 25.5 : Y Chahal to D Miller, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 25.6 : Y Chahal to D Miller, Swept away through square leg for a single. |
| 26.1 : K Yadav to D Miller, He picked him, oh he picked him, exclaims our statsman, Vic. Floated around off, Miller lunges and lets it go by withdrawing his bat. |
| 26.2 : K Yadav to D Miller, Tossed up around off and middle, David prods and blocks. |
| 26.3 : K Yadav to D Miller, DM is nicely forward with a lunge and keeps it out. |
| 26.4 : K Yadav to D Miller, Floated around off, Miller gets forward to defend but gets a soft edge towards slip. |
| 26.5 : K Yadav to D Miller, Fuller around middle and leg, flicked away to short fine leg. |
| 26.6 : K Yadav to D Miller, Flighted ball on a fuller length, driven to long off to retain strike. |
| Hardik Pandya is back on. |
| 27.1 : H Pandya to D Miller, Length ball on leg, nudged away to fine leg for one. |
| 27.2 : H Pandya to K Zondo, On a length around middle and leg, Zondo looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. The ball rolls to the on side and he gets a single. |
| 27.3 : H Pandya to D Miller, Angling away from the batsman, David stays back and keeps it out towards point. |
| 27.4 : H Pandya to D Miller, Length ball around middle and leg, Miller looks to work it to the on side. Gets a leading edge towards covers. |
| 27.5 : H Pandya to D Miller, Almost! Length ball slanting away from Miller, he has a poke at it only to get beaten by the finest of margins. |
| 27.6 : H Pandya to D Miller, This one is guided through point to rotate strike. |
| Another change. Jasprit Bumrah is called up to bowl with some pace. |
| 28.1 : J Bumrah to D Miller, On a length going away, Miller stays back and slaps it past backward point for a brace. |
| 28.2 : J Bumrah to D Miller, Fuller this time, pushed away towards covers for nothing. |
| 28.3 : J Bumrah to D Miller, FOUR! Streaky, Miller won't mind it. Banged short around leg, the southpaw swivels and pulls it. Gets it through fine leg for a boundary. |
| 28.4 : J Bumrah to D Miller, This one is tucked away through square leg for a single. |
| 28.5 : J Bumrah to K Zondo, Low full toss on middle, flicked away to mid-wicket. |
| 28.6 : J Bumrah to K Zondo, Played to mid-wicket region by KZ. |
| 29.1 : H Pandya to D Miller, Flashy! Won't help Miller. This one is hurled across the batter at 141 kph. The southpaw stands still and looks to flay it through the off side. Only makes contact with the thin air. |
| 29.2 : H Pandya to D Miller, Fuller and around middle and leg, David works it away through square leg for one. Dhawan in the deep fumbles but doesn't concede an extra run. |
| 29.3 : H Pandya to K Zondo, WIDE! Short and down the leg side, Zondo goes for the pull but misses. Wide signaled. |
| H Pandya to K Zondo, Short and wide, luckily for Pandya, it results in just two. Zondo camps back and cuts it aerially. The ball lands near the deep backward point fence as Pandey, the sub fielder, runs to his right from third man to do the mopping up job. |
| 29.4 : H Pandya to K Zondo, KZ defends this one off the back foot. |
| 29.5 : H Pandya to K Zondo, Length ball around off at 142 kph. Zondo gets an inside edge onto the pads and the ball lands next to the pitch on the leg side. Pandya utters something on the lines of 'too quick for you..' to the batter as he goes to pick the ball up. |
| 29.6 : H Pandya to K Zondo, Length ball slanting in, Zondo moves inside the line in a bid to flick it away but gets it off his thigh pads. Dhoni gets to his left and stops that. |
| 30.1 : J Bumrah to D Miller, Landed around middle and leg, turned away through mid-wicket for one. |
| 30.2 : J Bumrah to K Zondo, WIDE! Perhaps the seamers are trying to tuck Zondo up. In that pursuit, they are hurling deliveries on the pads or down the leg side. This one is sprayed down leg. Wided by the umpire. |
| J Bumrah to K Zondo, Fuller outside off, knocked to covers for one. |
| 30.3 : J Bumrah to D Miller, Jasprit runs in from over the wicket, Miller comes down the track and punches it towards covers. |
| 30.4 : J Bumrah to D Miller, Hurled fuller at 119 kph, David read that well and defended it back to the bowler. |
| 30.5 : J Bumrah to D Miller, 144 kph reads the speedometer. Length ball around off, Miller hops but misses the tuck. Wears it high on the front pad. The Indians appeal to no avail. |
| 30.6 : J Bumrah to D Miller, Outside off, pushed towards point. |
| Pandya was ready to bowl another over, but Kohli changes his mind. Decides to bring Bhuvneshwar Kumar on. |
| 31.1 : B Kumar to K Zondo, Full outside off, driven straight to the man at mid off. |
| 31.2 : B Kumar to K Zondo, This ball is hit straight to the point fielder. |
| 31.3 : B Kumar to K Zondo, Landed on a length around off and middle, Khaya looks to run as soon as he flicks it. Rohit from mid-wicket charges in and hits the stumps at the batter's end even as Zondo makes it in. The stumps light up although the bails don't come off. No run taken. |
| 31.4 : B Kumar to K Zondo, This ball is driven through covers for a single. |
| 31.5 : B Kumar to D Miller, Miller has a feel for a length delivery angling away yet again. Misses. |
| 31.6 : B Kumar to D Miller, On a length, flicked through mid-wicket. Pandya charges to the ball and returns a fairly quick throw but is unable to prevent the brace there. 176 more needed off 108 balls. |
| 32.1 : J Bumrah to K Zondo, Fuller outside off, steered towards backward point. |
| 32.2 : J Bumrah to K Zondo, Slanting in on a length, Khaya misses the flick. The ball rolls towards backward square leg and a leg bye is taken. |
| 32.3 : J Bumrah to D Miller, OUT! This was always on the cards, wasn't it? Miller was fishing outside the off stump in the past couple of overs and now, although this isn't the same action, the edge is induced nevertheless. Bumrah runs in from round the wicket and delivers a length ball angling in to the batsman. David looks to pull it off the front foot. Wrongly positioned and a wrong choice of shot as well as the ball wasn't really short. What's more, he advanced down the track as well. All he |
| Chris Morris strides out to bat next. Ability to take the side home, there. Can he do it? |
| 32.4 : J Bumrah to C Morris, Fuller around off, driven to covers. |
| 32.5 : J Bumrah to C Morris, Fuller around middle and leg, wristed through mid-wicket for three. |
| 32.6 : J Bumrah to K Zondo, Tucked away through backward square leg for one. Successful over for Jasprit. |
| 33.1 : B Kumar to K Zondo, Length ball on the pads, flicked away to fine leg for one. |
| 33.2 : B Kumar to C Morris, FOUR! Shot. Talk about the followthrough of the blades and the extension of the arms and the presence of the high elbows... this shot had it all. Fuller ball outside off, Morris gets his front foot forward and drives it through covers. The mid off fielder ran to his right but couldn't do much once the ball passed him. |
| 33.3 : B Kumar to C Morris, On the pads yet again, flicked away through square leg for a brace. |
| 33.4 : B Kumar to C Morris, This ball is hit straight to the man at covers. |
| 33.5 : B Kumar to C Morris, Short and wide, cut away to deep point for one. |
| 33.6 : B Kumar to K Zondo, Khaya taps it to the off side and gets to the other end to face the first ball of the next over. |
| Drinks! 162 more needed off 96 balls. South Africa are losing their way yet again. They lost the momentum when the spin twins came on and here they are, staring at yet another defeat. India, well, they are just a blow away from being 3-0 up. 5 more wickets to be taken. How long will it take? Do we have a twist in the tale? Hardik Pandya to run in now... |
| 34.1 : H Pandya to K Zondo, Full outside off, sliced over covers for one. Zondo always wanted a second but Morris wasn't on the same page. |
| 34.2 : H Pandya to C Morris, On a length outside off, Chris opens the face of the bat to guide it through point for one. |
| 34.3 : H Pandya to K Zondo, This ball is pushed past backward point for one. |
| 34.4 : H Pandya to C Morris, Fuller in length at 113 kph, Morris looks to work it through the on side but gets it off the inner half towards fine leg for a brace. |
| 34.5 : H Pandya to C Morris, This ball is blasted to long on for one. |
| 34.6 : H Pandya to K Zondo, Short in length, pulled away to fine leg for one. 7 runs off the over. |
| Kuldeep Yadav is back on. Is he here to hasten the end? |
| 35.1 : K Yadav to K Zondo, Wrong 'un on the pads to start, Khaya gets down and sweeps it to fine leg for one. 150 up for South Africa. |
| 35.2 : K Yadav to C Morris, OUT! As plumb as it gets. Morris is done with playing his shot during breakfast while the ball is served for lunch. He gets across the stumps and wears it on the box as he missed his pull. An appeal is just a formality as the finger is raised immediately. 154 off 88 needed as Chris walks back vigorously shaking his head. Not sure if it is because of him missing the ball completely or if someone from the opposite camp had something to say to him. |
| Andile Phehlukwayo is the next batter in. |
| 35.3 : K Yadav to A Phehlukwayo, Flatter delivery, it goes straight on after pitching. Phehlukwayo fails to pick it up. The ball just passes over the stumps. |
| 35.4 : K Yadav to A Phehlukwayo, This ball is reverse swept to point. |
| 35.5 : K Yadav to A Phehlukwayo, Floated outside off, driven to covers. |
| 35.6 : K Yadav to A Phehlukwayo, Lovely. Lands around off, Phehlukwayo goes back to defend. The ball just spins away to square him up completely. |
| Yuzvendra Chahal is back as well. |
| 36.1 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, OUT! My partner here, Praky, wonders if Kohli had held his spinners back just to get some night allowance. He had the chance to go for the kill earlier but he didn't. Now he has brought both of them back and each has struck. Chahal tosses this one up around off, Zondo gets down to slog it away. Gets a top edge, the ball goes up, touches eternity and comes down to Pandey, the sub, at covers. As easy as it gets. The end is nigh for the hosts now. Third wicket for Yuzvend |
| 36.2 : Y Chahal to K Rabada, Chahal comes round the wicket and lands it around off, wristed away to mid-wicket. |
| 36.3 : Y Chahal to K Rabada, Beauty. Tossed up ball from outside off, Rabada strides forward to defend but gets beaten on the inside. |
| 36.4 : Y Chahal to K Rabada, Yuzvendra comes back over the wicket and serves it around leg. Kagiso sweeps it through square leg for a single. |
| 36.5 : Y Chahal to A Phehlukwayo, This ball is punched through covers for one. |
| 36.6 : Y Chahal to K Rabada, FOUR! How did that miss the stumps? Floated up around middle and leg, the ball spins in sharply. Rabada looks to drive that but gets an inside edge past the stumps for a boundary. |
| 37.1 : K Yadav to A Phehlukwayo, Floated up full around off, Andile gets down and plays the reverse sweep. Gets it towards third man for a couple. |
| 37.2 : K Yadav to A Phehlukwayo, Flatter and quicker on off, Andile goes back to cut but is lucky to slice it towards point. |
| 37.3 : K Yadav to A Phehlukwayo, OUT! Ever heard a strict mother warning her ward to not accept lollipops from strangers? Such an instruction should be given to the South African batsmen as well. Yadav tosses this up nicely outside off, Phehlukwayo fails to resist the temptation to go after that. Looks to hoick it over the on side but gets a top edge. Kohli runs forward from covers and accepts it gleefully. India need another 2 wickets to be 3-0 at the end of this game. |
| Imran Tahir walks out next. |
| 37.4 : K Yadav to I Tahir, FOUR! Nice way to get off the mark. A low full toss outside off, Tahir reached out to that and drives it square on the off side. The ball has enough in it to go to the fence. |
| 37.5 : K Yadav to I Tahir, Floated around off and middle, Imran looks to turn it to the on side but gets a leading edge towards point. |
| 37.6 : K Yadav to I Tahir, Googly outside off, Imran is some years away from picking that. Misses it and MS whips off the bails but the batsman's back foot is firmly grounded. |
| 38.1 : Y Chahal to K Rabada, Flatter on the pads, turned through square leg for one. |
| 38.2 : Y Chahal to I Tahir, FOUR! The best shot from a South African in this innings has come from the no.10, quips my partner. Tahir dances down to this tossed up ball and hits it straight over the bowler's head for a boundary. |
| 38.3 : Y Chahal to I Tahir, The batsman fails to put bat on ball. |
| 38.4 : Y Chahal to I Tahir, OUT! The party has ended. Chahal is not afraid to toss it up yet again. Tahir gets down on a knee to slog it out of Cape Town but fails to even clear the 30-yard circle. Finds Kohli at mid on with the skier. This is Chahal's fourth wicket. |
| Debutant Lungi Ngidi is the last man in. |
| 38.5 : Y Chahal to K Rabada, SIX! Ho, ho, ho... it's a beauty! Flighted ball around middle, Rabada gets down on a knee and goes with the spin. Makes nice contact as the ball clears the deep mid-wicket fence with ease. Just the second six off this innings. |
| 38.6 : Y Chahal to K Rabada, Flatter on middle and leg, Rabada looks to block but gets a leading edge to the off side. |
| 39.1 : K Yadav to L Ngidi, Tossed up around middle, Lungi lunges to turn but misses to get hit on the pads. The players appeal to no avail. |
| 39.2 : K Yadav to L Ngidi, The batsman was beaten and missed the line of the delivery. |
| 39.3 : K Yadav to L Ngidi, A low full toss outside off, just clears mid off. Gets a couple for that. |
| 39.4 : K Yadav to L Ngidi, A flatter googly outside off, Ngidi misses it completely. |
| 39.5 : K Yadav to L Ngidi, FOUR! Yadav comes round the wicket and tosses this up. Lungi goes with the spin and hits it over mid-wicket. The ball lands just in front of the ropes, the fielder after it signals that to the umpire but it's still given as a biggie. Then he goes upstairs to find that the ball indeed bounced before the rope. Umpire Adrian Holdstock corrects his mistake. |
| 39.6 : K Yadav to L Ngidi, OUT! How silent was this wicket! Dhoni told Kuldeep to bowl the other one and he does. Lands it on middle and gets it to turn away. Ngidi swipes across the line but misses the ball completely. The players don't even bother appealing. The umpire raises the finger. Hold on, Hawk Eye shows the ball to be PASSING OVER THE STUMPS. The hosts didn't have any review left, though. INDIA WIN BY 124 RUNS AND TAKE AN UNASSAILABLE 3-0 LEAD IN THE SERIES! |
| A sense of deja vu gets to us as we have a look at the way the game panned. 18-1-69-8 read the combined figures of the spin twins. Rest assured, there is no further confirmation needed as to who were the wreckers in chief for the tourists. South Africa started poorly losing Hashim Amla pretty early. But Aiden Markram and Jean-Paul Duminy set about with their tasks in right earnest. They stitched together a 78-run stand, which was the only one over 50 for the hosts. |
| However, Markram's fall opened the floodgates and then wickets came falling like water from an open tap. Only Khaya Zondo and David Miller stayed in the middle for considerable time. But then, nobody seemed to have answers to what Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav were throwing at them. The latter got his first ODI four-fer in the process. Jasprit Bumrah did his I-am-present-teacher thing by picking up a couple of useful scalps. |
| Picture this. South Africa's team total is just 19 runs more than what Virat Kohli managed. Dominance is writ large here. This game meted out in a similar fashion to that of the female colts. There, a certain Smriti Mandhana, wearing jersey no.18, stroked her way to a century. Here, a certain Kohli with the same number on the back of his t-shirt, did that. It was a magnanimous win there and so it is here. A wrist spinner, Poonam Yadav, picked up a four-fer in that game, while here, we had two do |
| Time for the presentation. Aiden Markram, the losing skipper, is first up. He reckons that this was a very disappointing outing yet again. Credits Virat Kohli and the opposition spinners for their exploits. States that they were always in the game when on field. Says that the final target was a gettable one but laments the batting failure yet again for the loss. Mentions that the opposing spiners are of a very good quality and hence, even after three outings they are on the wrong side of things. |
| Virat Kohli, the winning captain, is also the Man of the Match. He says that although he didn't start off well, he knew he had to stick it out in the middle for his side to get to a good total. States that the new ball was coming onto the bat nicely. Adds that after 30 overs, the track slowed down considerably due to which they had to adjust their target accordingly. Mentions that it is pleasing to lead from the front. Credits Shikhar Dhawan for his innings. Lauds Bhuvneshwar Kumar's efforts wit |
| That's all we have to offer from this game. The Indians have dominated the South Africans like they do when playing at home. Spin, strangely, has been the talk of this limited overs series. The home side batsmen seem like treading on fire when facing spin. There are three more games in this ODI series left. They would now treat this as a three-match series. AB de Villiers is expected to be back though only time will confirm the same. Will the story be same even then? Remember, the 4th one is the |
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