Sagacious South Africa beat India again to Clinch the ODI Series by 2-0
South Africa asserted their dominance over India by clinching the ODI Series. South Africa won the 2nd ODI Match by 7 wickets as they continued to worsen the agony of India and now have bagged priceless 20 World Super League Points. SA would be pumped up as no one thought they would win ODI Series that too with an ODI left. On the other hand, India would be shattered as they know that their lack of intent costed them the series.
India had opted to bat first. India posted a challenging total of 287 runs for the loss of 6 wickets. In response to the target, SA started their innings in an attacking way. SA managed to score 66 runs in 10 overs and then both the batters, Quinton de Kock & Janneman Malan went in ultra- attacking mode. An opening partnership of 132 runs in 22 overs made the job half done.
If someone had told me that India would begin 2022 with defeats in Test and ODI series in South Africa, I would have just laughed at that prediction. But, cricket Hai. Still tough to digest results. #CricketTwitter #SAvsIND
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) January 21, 2022
Only two things to cheer about for India. Bumrah is in a different league and Pant produced an innings of great class.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 21, 2022
De Kock and Malan Shine
De Kock scored a furious knock of 78 runs in 66 balls, whereas Malan played cautiously and scored 91 runs in 108 balls & gave SA a solid chance to upset India. The rest of the batters made sure that there are no hiccups. SA chased down the target in 48.1 overs & gave a Wake-up call to India. Jasprit Bumrah & co had a lack of intent to take wickets as chasing 287 wickets with 7 wickets remaining augurs that everything is not good in team. India would be astonished as SA not only won ODI Series but they buried alive a billion people’s emotions.
Earlier, Opting to bat first India had a decent power-play as they scored 57 runs. Shikhar Dhawan had a below-par performance with bat as he scored 29 runs in 38 balls. The onus once again was on Virat Kohli but this time he was out on a golden duck which deteriorated India’s innings. Then the skipper KL Rahul & Rishabh Pant tried to resurrect the innings, both of them were involved in 115 runs partnership.
Rahul got 3 lives as he scored a fine knock of 55 runs in 79 balls. There was absolute role-clarity between Rahul & Rishabh as Rahul was an anchor & Rishabh was the enforcer. Pant was in a beast mode as he smacked 85 runs in 71 balls which included 10 fours & 2 sixes. In last 10 overs India managed to score just 70 runs for the loss of 1 wicket. Each South Africa bowler had a wicket to his name except Lungi Ngidi.
SA would be pinching themselves as defeating a Champion Team India requires a lot of preparation & planning. Now that SA have bagged 20 points & with the 3rd ODI scheduled on 23rd January, SA have a Golden Chance of white-washing India & attaining this feat is rare.
India would be shocked as they not only let themselves down but a billion people . In India Cricket is a Religion & by exhibiting such performances BCCI is doing a but injustice to the talent which India possesses. The Selection Committee &tThe President Sourav Ganguly needs to go back to Drawing Board as results aren’t convincing.
