India posted 287-6 in their 50 overs against South Africa in the second ODI at Boland Park setting a 288-run target for the home side to win the series.

India won the toss and like the Proteas in the 1st match, chose to bat first on a scorching hot day in Paarl. The wicket was assessed to be dry and slow, and as expected there wasn’t much purchase in the wicket for the South African seamers up top.

The situation was also not helped by a poor opening over from Sisanda Magala who went for 16 runs. India got a decent start as they did in their chase in the 1st ODI. SA, however, took wickets in twos to make things difficult for the visitors.

India scored 63 in 11.3 overs, before the breakthrough finally came, Temba Bavuma turning to his spinners to get the results. We saw two quick wickets an over apart, Shikhar Dhawan was dismissed by Aiden Markram and Virat Kohli in the 13th over was dismissed for a duck by Keshav Maharaj.

KL Rahul’s captain’s half-century (55 off 79 balls) took his side to within a run of 180 before Magala got his desired wicket, followed by Risabh Pant (85 off 71 balls) who was dismissed by Shamsi, as India were reduced to 183–4 halfway through the 33rd over.

Despite the bulk of the top guys being removed at regular intervals, India managed to still string together some decent cameos to take them to a decent total.

Venkatesh Iyer’s 22, Shardul Thakur’s 40 and Ravichandran Ashwin’s 25 were crucial to their side setting a competitive total.

In this period, there was a great piece of wicketkeeping by Quinton de Kock to remove Iyer off the bowling of Andile Phehlukwayo. Andile came around the wicket like the last game and got the left-hander to reach forward. He lost his balance to a ball slipping down leg. He missed the flick and Quinton de Kock quickly removed the bails. Similarly to the stumping in the 1st game.

India posted 287-3 in their 50 overs. Shamsi was the top bowler with 2-57, while Ngidi was the only bowler to go wicketless with 0-35 in 8 overs. The rest of the bowlers took 1 wicket apiece.

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