Opener Rohit Sharma’s classy ton was once again not enough to guide India past a huge target as the hosts lost the first ODI of the five-match series at Kanpur by 5 runs to remain winless against South Africa.
Rohit continued his stellar form against South Africa to notch a 133-ball 150, studded with 13 fours and 6 sixes but failed to see India through the finish line against a stiff target of 304, set up by yet another AB de Villers’ masterpiece who struck a 104 not out.
Chasing a stiff target, Rohit and his opening partner Shikhar Dhawan gave India a decent start with a 45-run partnership for the first wicket.
Dhawan, who didn’t enjoy a good outing in the T20 series, straightaway went on the offensive this time and was well supported by Rohit. The Indian openers targeted the second-line South African bowlers, especially Farhaan Behardien and Kagiso Rabada. Dhawan, who was looking good for a long haul, was dismissed by Morne Morkel in the eight over for 23.
However, Dhawan’s dismissal didn’t hurt the hosts much as Rohit and Rahane, who was making a comeback into the team after missing out in the T20 series, went on to demolish the Proteas’ attack.
Both the Mumbai batsmen displayed some beautiful strokeplay and stitched a 149-run stand for the second wicket. Rohit and Rahane made the South Africans work on every ball and rotated the strike efficiently against spinners Imran Tahir and JP Duminy.
When South Africa stared down the barrel, Behardien snapped up Rahane against the run of play and broke the stand. Rahane made room by moving outside leg and slapped an innocuous delivery straight to Miller at extra cover to get dismissed on 60.
India’s Test skipper Virat Kohli soon followed Rahane into the dugout after Morkel took a brilliant catch at short fine leg.
However, Rohit was unstoppable and kept on pilling the runs at will and was joined by Dhoni in the middle. Both of them plundered 55 runs for the fourth wicket.
But it was Pakistan-born South Africa leg-spinner Imran Tahir who turned the match on its head by dismissing Suresh Raina (3) and Rohit in the 47th over.
Thereafter, India failed to hold on to their nerves and surrendered meekly in front of the visitors. Needing 11 runs off the last over bowled by Rabada, India lost both Dhoni (31) and Binny (2) to lose the match.
Earlier, De Villiers smashed six sixes and five fours in his 73-ball knock as South Africa became the first side to go past 300 on a slow and low Green Park wicket.
The destructive batsman plundered the bowlers at will taking advantage of an India attack handicapped due to the absence of off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who suffered a side strain while bowling his fourth over and left the field.
Ashwin, who was playing in his 100th ODI, returned to bowl only one more over before going off again. Later, the BCCI replaced Ashwin
