Dhoni sets up spectacular India win in second South Africa One-Dayer
India pulled off a spectacular 22-run victory over South Africa in the second One-Dayer in Indore to level the five-match series one-all, after skipper Mahendra Dhoni struck a controlled 92 not out to lift the hosts to a fighting score, and the tourists botched up their chase under pressure.
Man of the Match Dhoni joined Ajinkya Rahane in the middle at 82-3 in 18 overs after the fall of Virat Kohli to a horrid mix up, and proceeded to compile a mature innings amidst a batting collapse to lift the home side to a combative 247-9 after the team opted to bat first in the day-night match.
The tourists were cruising at 134-2 in the 24 over when in-form JP Duminy’s (36) dismissal triggered a collapse as South Africa lost four wickets for 33 runs and could never quite recover thereafter.
Kagiso Rabada gave the visitors a perfect start by dismissing in-form Rohit Sharma bowled in the second over of the innings, while the other opener Shikhar Dhawan fell in a soft manner to Morkel. Ajinkya Rahane struck his 12th ODI fifty to kick on the innings, but Kohli’s dismissal saw the home side lose three more wickets for the addition of only 42 runs to be left reeling at 124-6 in the 30 over.
Dhoni marshaled the lower order remarkably as he mixed caution and aggression in his 86-ball effort that was studded with seven fours and four sixes as India added 82 in the last 10 overs to propel the team forward.
South Africa appeared clearly in control until halfway into the innings. Faf du Plessis smashed his second straight fifty and put on 82 for the third wicket with Duminy before left-arm spinner Axar Patel dismissed the latter lbw to provide a crucial breakthrough. Patel and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh shared five wickets.
Pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed new man David Miller caught behind with a peach of an outswinger, while third seamer Mohit Sharma had danger-man AB de Villiers caught in the covers superbly by Kohli, who took three catches in the match. India scented victory as South Africa began to buckle under pressure.
All-rounder Farhaan Behardien was unlucky to be given caught behind down the leg to Harbhajan Singh, who replaced injured Ravichandran Ashwin, as TV replays showed that the ball did not touch the bat. Following that, the match was firmly in India’s pocket with Dhoni having a hand in four dismissals.
Brief scores: India 247-9 in 50 overs (A Rahane 51, MS Dhoni 92 not out, D Steyn 3-49) beat South Africa 225 in 43.4 overs (F du Plessis 51, A Patel 3-39).
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