Right then! This is all we have from this second ODI and the series now moves to Newlands, Cape Town for the third and final ODI. The series is already sealed by South Africa but India would like to avoid a whitewash here. The final ODI will take place on Sunday, 23rd December and the action starts at 2.00 pm IST (8.30 am GMT). But as you know, our coverage will start well in advance. So do join us for the same. Till then, goodbye and cheers!
Quinton de Kock is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his brilliant performace with the bat. He says that it was nice to get out there and score some runs. Mentions that lack of game time obviously catches up but says it was just good to be out there and score. Tells that the more he batted, the more he felt that his rhythm was back. Says that he and Janneman Malan had a good partnership. Says that they share a great understanding. On asked how life is as a father, he says that he had only a couple of days to spend at home. Adds that his perspective has changed on life.
Temba Bavuma, the South African skipper says that he is very happy. He adds that this was the objective before the series but he did not expect to win the series in just two games. He states that Quinton de Kock played well and showed how valuable a player he is. He mentions that they have a lot of self-belief and they fight for each other and they try to put a team effort. He adds that no one had many expectations from them and they have done really well here. He states that the spinners have done a super job. He mentions that he enjoys captaincy right from domestic cricket and and it is probably because he thinks too deeply about the game. He adds that 3-0 sounds better than 2-1 and hopefully they can do well in the final game.
KL Rahul, the Indian skipper says that South Africa is playing good cricket at home and they are making some mistakes and it needs to be looked upon. He says that it is a learning curve for them. Mentions that they are a team that takes pride in winning but it has been a good learning for them and hopes that they grow from this. Tells that the wicket does feel like one at home and it didn't look like they will chase it down but credits them for batting really well. Adds that the way Rishabh Pant batted was good and he targeted areas where he is strong. Says that Shardul Thakur showed that he can bat down the order. Tells that Bumrah bowled superbly and Yuzvendra Chahal was also good as well. Says that these are the few positives but they love challenges and have been short in the first two games and tells that they will now look to win the last match. On asked about team changes, he says that it is too soon to tell.
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India have been really flat with the ball. They never looked like putting pressure on the South African bowlers and easy singles were given away quite easily throughout the innings. The man with the golden arm, Shardul Thakur eventually got the wicket of Quinton de Kock but the third wicket partnership between Bavuma and Malan ensured that India does not comeback into the game. India’s strike bowler, Bumrah got the wicket of Bavuma and Chahal also managed to get rid of Malan after that. But it was too late till then and India have been handed a humiliating series defeat here.
South Africa have pulled off a very clinical win here. They needed 288 to chase and the game seemed to be on a balance at the end of the first innings. But the way South Africa have gone about their chase has been very impressive. They kept the pressure on Indian bowlers right from the start as Quinton de Kock and Janneman Malan never let any bowler settle. Both the openers missed out on a well-deserved century but they had done their job till then and it was easy for the batters after them to take their side home. Bavuma batted solidly at number 3 and then Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram finished things off for their side quite comfortably.
South Africa clinch the ODI series in a rather comfortable fashion with still a game to go. The dressing room erupts and full credit to this South African unit for their brilliant performance. They have chased down this total with ease and have carried the momentum they gained in the Test series into this ODI series. India will be disappointed with their effort with the ball especially after a decent performance with the bat earlier in the day. Indian spinners have been outbowled by the South African spinners in both the games and as a result, India have been beaten comprehensively in this ODI series. So the post-Kohli era in ODIs has started on a poor note for India.
In over# 49
1
Shreyas Iyer 1/0(0.1)
48.1
1
Aiden Markram hits the winning runs! Shreyas Iyer bowls it short, on off. Aiden Markram works it to mid off for a quick single. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end and Aiden Markram makes it back with a dive. The fielder didn't hit the stumps though and with that, SOUTH AFRICA WIN THE SERIES AND WIN THE MATCH BY 7 WICKETS!
Interestingly, KL Rahul hands the ball to Shreyas Iyer. Just 1 run is needed and KL Rahul asks Shreyas Iyer to bowl.
In over# 48
0
1
1
2
1
1
Bhuvneshwar Kumar 67/0(8)
47.6
.
Fuller in length, outside off. Rassie van der Dussen presses forward and blocks it out.
47.5
1
On a good length, on off. Aiden Markram punches it to extra cover. He sets off for a quick single. There is a shy at the bowler's end from the fielder but he misses.
47.4
1
On a length, outside off. Rassie van der Dussen steers it to deep cover for a single.
47.3
2
Short of a length, on middle. Pulled to deep mid-wicket. Rassie van der Dussen calls for two and gets it comfortably.
47.2
1
Length ball, on the pads. Pushed to long on for a single again.
47.1
1
On middle, this is worked down to long on for a single.