South Africa hammers India to take a lead of 1-0

India got a real hammering in the first of the 3-match one-day series in South Africa as the hosts strolled with a victory by a huge margin. South Africa won the match by 141 runs as they bowled out India in just 41 overs. Wicket-keeper Quinton De Kock was awarded the man-of-the-match for his brilliant innings of Indian batsmen had a miserable day in the middle as no one could manage to overcome the pace and bounce generated by the Protean bowlers. Dale Steyn and Ryan McLaren picked up three wickets each as the visitors got out without giving any fight whatsoever, getting bowled out in 41 overs for just 217.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni was the lone man out in the middle who crossed the 50-run mark. But that could never be enough to overcome a huge total of 358/4 set by the hosts. Virat Kohli also got a good start but he fell to a beauty from Ryan McLaren. He nicked one that did just a little bit in the air after pitching outside off-stump. India’s misery was doubled as Rohit Sharma got run-out while answering to a call for a non-existing single from Raina. Later Raina also suffered the same fate. Some late blows from the captain reduced the margin of defeat which looked inevitable once the target was set at 359.

Earlier in the day, South Africa made merry on a Johannesburg pitch that had a lot for the batsmen. Quinton De Kock, who made a scintillating century, was well supported by Hashim Amla (65) at first and then by AB De Villiers (77) and JP Duminy (59) that enabled the South Africans to post a huge total of 358/4. Mohammad Shami was the pick of the Indian bowlers as he picked up 3 wickets.

After such a humiliating defeat in the series opener, the Indians have got a lot to do in order to make a comeback into the series, especially in the bowling department. The bowlers need to adapt to the conditions as early as possible, otherwise tough times are waiting for the number 1 team in the ODIs.

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About Argha Ghosh

An ardent follower of sports and die-hard Manchester United fan, Argha's ultimate dream is to watch a Manchester derby from the Stretford End at the Old Trafford.