| 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 |
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