South Africa has started on a winning note. The Proteas beat home side India by nine runs in the first ODI in Indore on Wednesday. After batting first, they scored 249/4 in a rain-curtailed game that was reduced to 40 overs. David Miller and Wicket-keeper batter Heinrich Klaasen scored the fifties for the team.
SIX! 💪 💪@IamSanjuSamson dances down the ground & tonks a MAXIMUM! 👌 👌 #TeamIndia
Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/d65WZUUDh2
Don’t miss the LIVE coverage of the #INDvSA match on @StarSportsIndia. pic.twitter.com/ijqKGXRVFk
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 6, 2022
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India, in reply, scored 240/8 in 40 overs, failing by a close margin. However, they can take a lot of pride in staging a comeback. It was led by Sanju Samson and Shardul Thakur. They added 93 runs for the sixth wicket. Indian wicket-keeper batter scored a stylish knock of 86 not out. Number five batter Shreyas Iyer too scored a fluent fifty.
Why did India lose the match?
There are two reasons India failed against South Africa. The Men in Blue lost their key wickets quickly. None of the top-order batters, except Shreyas Iyer, scored runs and it affected the run chase. It affected the overall momentum of their chasing.
5⃣0⃣ Runs
3⃣7⃣ Balls
8⃣ Fours@ShreyasIyer15 departs but not before scoring a quickfire half-century.Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/d65WZUUDh2 #TeamIndia | #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/jLWWbEInWh
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 6, 2022
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The second reason was that the Indian top-order batters consumed too many balls. This meant the required run rate was at a high level. Team India needed over 70 runs in the last five overs. It was a daunting task, especially when India had a lack of firepower in the lower order.
What should the team change in the next match?
India can play one more batting all-rounder to add some depth to the batting. Shardul Thakur, known for his exploits, was promoted to Number 7. However, he is a bowling all-rounder and probably more suited for the No.8 position.
FIFTY for @IamSanjuSamson 👏👏
The right-handed batter has kept the run chase alive with his clean striking! #TeamIndia need 59 off the final four overs.
Don't miss the LIVE coverage of the #INDvSA match on @starsportsindia pic.twitter.com/298jDemOit
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 6, 2022
India will also need to address the concerns of leaking runs in the middle and late overs of the game. Despite taking four early wickets, India could not contain the run flow as South African batters were at ease. The team will look to learn from their mistakes. They will aim to play a better game in the second ODI on October 9.
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