Shikhar Dhawan who led India in the first ODI of the South Africa tour of India 2022 admitted that “they gave away too many runs on a wicket”
IND vs SA 1st ODI Post Match Presentation
The first ODI match has been reduced to 40 overs after the toss was delayed due to rain. Batting first South Africa scored 249 runs for 4 wickets loss. During the chasing Indian top order batters fails to score the expected runs.
Though South Africa loses 4 wickets for 110 runs, Klaasen and Miller made a massive 139 runs and boost the score to 249 runs at the end of the 40 overs.
“I thought 250 was too many runs. We gave away too many runs on a wicket that swung and spun, the fielding wasn’t great, we leaked a few runs but this was a good learning experience for us,” Dhawan said in the post-match presentation.
South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma said his bowlers lost a bit in the middle overs with Sanju Samson (86 not out) going great guns but he was happy that they managed to hold their nerves in the end.
“A good fight at the end, obviously Sanju pushed us at the end, but the boys stood firm and took us to the win,” he said.
“Bowling upfront was good, in the first 15 overs by KG and Parnell. I thought we lost our way in the middle overs, gave away far too many runs, but at the end, the result did go our way and I’m happy with that.”
Talking about his side’s batting, Bavuma said: “We lost a couple of wickets in the middle overs, myself and Aiden (Markram), but the boys knuckled down.
“Miller and Klaasen played positively, stung together a partnership, and took us to a good score.” Heinrich Klaasen, who has adjudged the Player of the Match for his 74 not out off 65 balls, said it was a difficult wicket to bat.
Asked if the conditions were easy to bat, Klaasen said, “Not at all, the ball was moving a lot and was spinning just before I walked out to the middle.
“But we have worked hard in the nets, I do have a good record against India and looking forward to the rest of the games.” Keshav Maharaj, who took one for 23, said the partnership between Miller and Klaasen was the turning point of the match.
“I thought Heinrich (Klaasen) came in and absorbed (the pressure) really well and David (Miller) was hitting the ball stupendously and just exploded in the back end and I think that was the difference between us and the Indian side, getting that partnership towards the end.
“We are just making sure that we are doing the right things and hopefully put in more performances going forward building towards the World Cup.”
The second ODI match of the series will be played on October 9 in JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi.
