Wrong staff choice and unusual captaincy from KL Rahul contributed to India’s 31-run loss towards South Africa within the first ODI on Wednesday.
Twice the Indians surrendered the initiative on this sport. Allowing South Africa to make a spectacular restoration, by means of twin tons of Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen, was the primary. A sub-300 complete was nonetheless fairly gettable on a sluggish Boland Park pitch. Failure to construct on the partnership between Dhawan and Kohli hit India even more durable.
South Africa crushed India each strategically in addition to on abilities and therein lay critical questions on Rahul’s wares as captain.
At the pre-match press convention, India’s stand-in skipper had spoken about how a seaming all-rounder could possibly be an asset to the staff, providing phrases of reward for the newcomer. Iyer was handed his ODI debut, ostensibly to have an additional bowling possibility, whereas Suryakumar Yadav warmed the bench. The debutant, although, was left unused regardless of Yuzvendra Chahal and Shardul Thakur have been being taken to the cleaners by Rassie van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma.
Rahul’s ways have been questionable as he was trying clueless, as soon as the dup of Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen began taking Indian bowlers to the cleaners. There wasn’t a singular impressed bowling change not like Proteas who launched Aiden Markram’s off-breaks first-up and bottled up the Indian skipper.
When India batted, the sport was misplaced on the midway stage as soon as Dhawan and Kohli have been out in fast succession following their 90-plus stand. Suddenly, the strip the place batting regarded simple turned troublesome. Shreyas Iyer’s well-documented struggles towards the brief ball have been once more uncovered on the day and the Mumbaikar would know that a spot within the Indian taking part in XI comes at a premium and he can’t go on losing possibilities like a millionaire.
The different distinction between the 2 sides was how the spinners fared – Indian spinners have been outbowled by their South African counterparts. While Ashwin and Chahal gave away 106 runs between them for a wicket; Shamsi, Maharaj and part-timer Markram – he opened the bowling – accounted for 4 scalps, conceding 124 runs.
A few positives for India have been opener Shikhar Dhawan, who batted like he by no means left. The veteran southpaw scored a 84-ball 79 and put ton a breezy 92-run stand with the previous India skipper Virat Kohli. Kohli made 51 off 63 deliveries, however but once more, he didn’t convert. An tried sweep towards Tabraiz Shamsi was slightly uncharacteristic. The ball hardly arrived and hit the toe-end of the bat.
With Inputs from PTI
