On a challenging Thiruvananthapuram field, India’s eight-wicket victory against South Africa to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series was made possible by strong opening stints from Arshdeep Singh (3/32) and Deepak Chahar (2/24). (September 28). Halfway through the third over, India’s new-ball bowlers had the visitors out of the game at 9/5, but Keshav Maharaj’s valiant comeback enabled them score a respectable 106/8. Despite losing two quickly, Suryakumar Yadav and KL Rahul both produced fifty-plus scores in the 17th over to finish the chase.
Arshdeep and Chahar disrupt the hierarchy
In the first 15 balls alone lead, practically everything was settled. Arshdeep and Chahar’s game-changing exhibition of swing bowling early with the new ball put to rest any bowling worries resulting from India’s frontline pacers being rested or sitting out. Although there was a hint of green on the field, South Africa’s top order was mostly undone by immobility. Temba Bavuma was set up by Chahar with a sequence of outswingers before the South African skipper was confused by a quick backswinger.
Arshdeep hit three times in his opening over, eliminating Quinton de Kock, Rilee Rossouw, and David Miller. Rilee Rossouw edged behind when attempting to drive away from the body. David Miller was struck by another inswinger. Tristan Stubbs became the third player to earn a golden duck in a row when Chahar selected his second ball in as many overs.
Maharaj propels SA above 100
Two were scored cheaply. Adien Markram (25 off 24) and Wayne Parnell (24 off 37) briefly rallied them to 30/5 at the conclusion of the powerplay, but the real push didn’t come until. In his cameo of 41 off 35 balls, which was also the highest total for the visitors, Maharaj smashed two sixes and five boundaries. He entered the game after Harshal Patel had used the DRS to dismiss Markram, the last known batter for South Africa. He took his time settling in before gradually starting to release his arms.
Maharaj broke the chains with an assertive pull over cow-corner while batting on 5 off 16 at one point, and from that point on, at least one boundary came every over. He destroyed India’s most effective bowler of the game in the last over with a reverse-lap, a perfectly placed drive for two boundaries, and an upper cut over third man sandwiched in between. Over the 17-run distance from Arshdeep, the visitors stumbled their way into the triple digits.
India cheaply loses Rohit and Kohli
It was time for the Indian openers to take the lead after a brief downpour. Kagiso Rabada, who began with a maiden and a peach-sized ball that was full but just a hair outside, sent Rohit Sharma packing for a duck. in that area of uncertainty, forcing the Indian captain to go forward in defence. De Kock quickly dove to catch the outer edge with one hand. Rahul continued to escape Parnell’s torrent of in and outswingers as India’s powerplay came to a conclusion with a score of 17/1, the lowest in the format. When Anrich Nortje started his delivery with a short, wide delivery outside off but could only manage an outside edge for the ‘keeper, Virat Kohli spotted an opportunity during the first bowling change.
