INDIA CRUSH SA BY 9 WICKETS
Spinners Chahal (5/22) and Kuldeep (3/20) rule over depleted Proteas at Centurion, put India 20 up in ODI series
India captain Virat Kohli smiles at batsman Shikhar Dhawan (L) during the second ODI against South Africa in Centurion on Sunday. India crushed the hosts by nine wickets after dismissing the topranked team in the world for 118, its worst total on home soil.
CENTURION:YUZVENDRA Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav weaved a web of spin around South Africa again to help India cruise to their second successive win in the series after dismissing the hosts for their lowest total at Centurion Park on Sunday, the second lowest against India.
The nine-wicket thrashing gave India a 2-0 lead in the sixmatch series and put them on the path to recording their first ODI series win in South Africa.
The spinners’ dominance over the hosts, captained by the inexperienced Aiden Markram following injury to Faf du Plessis, was so complete the match ended soon after lunch-time.
India, having routed South Africa for 118 in 32.2 overs, chased down the paltry target in 20.3 overs, reaching 119/1.
India skipper Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to field, backing the team’s strength of chasing a target.
The Proteas began cautiously but confidently against some tight bowling by India pacers with Hashim Amla looking solid. The batsman, who hasn’t been able to get going against the Indians in recent ODIS, played some exquisite cover drives before edging a sharp, incoming delivery from Bhuvneshwar Kumar to be caught behind.
With the most experienced Proteas batsman gone, Virat Kohli brought on the spinners. The move paid off immediately as Quinton de Kock holed out to midwicket in Chahal’s second over. In the next over, Markram fell the same way, falling to Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav in his first over. Kuldeep also had David Miller caught at slip later in that over and soon the Proteas were reduced to 51/4 from 39/0.
It was always going to be an uphill task from there as newcomer Khaya Zondo and Jeanpaul Duminy tried to resurrect the innings. The two added 48 runs. However, the spinners answered the skipper’s call once again as Chahal removed Zondo.
Soon Duminy was out leg-before to Chahal, who returned his best haul and the best by an Indian against South Africa in their country. That wicket opened the floodgates. The lefthander wanted a review, but it had been exhausted by Amla.
From 99/4, the home side suffered another collapse following the dismissal of Zondo, losing the last six wickets for 18 runs.
It was clear South Africa were missing Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers, both out with injuries to their index fingers, as no batsman had a clue how to play spin.
India reached the target in a canter as Morne Morkel and Co, in trying to attack couldn’t halt the runs. India lost Rohit Sharma but Kohli (46*) and Shikhar Dhawan (51*) ensured there was no more casualty on a perfect batting wicket.