Yuzvendra Chahal’s 5/22 guides India to thrashing win over South Africa in Centurion
Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav shared eight wickets as India crushed South Africa by nine wickets in Centurion to go 2-0 up in the six-match series.
Yuzvendra Chahal (5/22) and Kuldeep Yadav (3/20) 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. (IND v SA 2nd ODI HIGHLIGHTS)
The nine-wicket thrashing gave India a 2-0 lead in the six-match series and put them on the path to recording their first ODI series win in South Africa. (IND v SA 2nd ODI SCORECARD)
The spinners’ dominance over the hosts, captained by the young and inexperienced Aiden Markram following injury to Faf du Plessis, was so complete the match ended soon after lunch-time.
“I’m pretty amazed at how slow they can actually bowl. Our spinners bowl very fast. On domestic wickets, we bowl pretty quick and it’s so much easier to get runs that way,” reasoned South Africa’s batting coach Dale Benkenstein after the match that saw India rout South Africa for 118 in 32.2 overs and then chase down the paltry target in 20.3 overs losing just one wicket.
(Read | Yuzvendra Chahal, given licence to attack, kills off South Africa batting with five-for in Centurion)
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.
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SPINNERS WREAK HAVOC
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 mid-wicket 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.
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It was always going to be an uphill task from there as newcomer Khaya Zondo and Jean-Paul 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 experienced left-hander wanted a review, but it had already been exhausted by Amla.
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FALLING IN A HEAP
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 batsmen reached the target in a canter as Morne Morkel and Co, in trying to attack and take wickets, couldn’t halt the runs. India lost Rohit Sharma early but Kohli (46*) and Shikhar Dhawan (51*) ensured there was no more casualty on a perfect batting wicket.
The two added 93 in about 17 overs after Dhawan got to his 24th half-century off just 49 balls.
The third ODI will be played in Cape Town on Wednesday.
