Proteas thump India

Quinton de Kock scored his second one-day international ( ODI) century to help South Africa beat India by 141 runs in their opening match of the series against India at the Wanderers yesterday.

De Kock scored 135 off 121 balls and was instrumental in the Proteas posting an imposing 358 for 4, batting first against the number one-ranked ODI team in the world.

India could only muster 217 all out in 41 overs, with captain MS Dhoni contributing an unsupported 65.

Dale Steyn and Ryan McLaren picked up three wickets each.

India started their chase under immense pressure and quickly wilted against the fiery South African bowling attack amid a vocal crowd at the Bullring.

AMBITIOUS HOOK

Morne Morkel came on as first change and removed the highly rated Shikhar Dhawan with the first ball of his spell. Dhawan attempted an ambitious hook off the short-pitched delivery and was out for 12 with De Kock taking the catch.

De Kock went from hero to villain in a flash when he dropped a regulation catch behind the wicket as Virat Kohli, on two, edged a rising Morkel delivery in the eighth over.

McLaren outfoxed Kohli ( 31 off 35 balls) with a rising delivery that the batsman played straight to the safe hands of Jacques Kallis at first slip in the 15th over.

McLaren struck again two balls later to remove Yuvraj Singh for a second ball duck. The all-rounder found the gap between bat and pad to clip the top of middle stump to leave India reeling on 60 for 3 after 15 overs.

Rohit Sharma was run out for 18 in the 16th over by a good piece of fielding from David Miller. Suresh Raina nudged a ball into the covers and set off for a quick single, but Miller took a quick gather and made the direct hit in one movement. The third umpire sent Raina packing as replays revealed he was a foot short of his ground.

India then faced a mountain to climb at 65 for 4 after 15.4 overs.