Dhoni inspires India to win
India recorded a 22 run win over South Africa in the second One Day International at Holkar Cricket Stadium.
|||Indore, India - An MS Dhoni-led India levelled the series with a 22 run win over South Africa in the second One Day International (ODI) at Holkar Cricket Stadium, in Indore, on Wednesday.
After the Proteas won the first ODI, India managed to defend 247 as they bowled out the South Africans for 225 to level the five-match series at 1-1.
Dhoni scored 92 unbeaten as the hosts struggled to a moderate total on a good batting surface. The Proteas in their reply, however, could only put together one partnership of over 50 as India took wickets at regular intervals.
South Africa lost both openers inside the first 10 overs.
It brought together Faf du Plessis (51 runs, 56 balls) and JP Duminy (36 runs, 46 balls).
The pair compiled 82 runs for the third wicket before Duminy was trapped lbw by Axar Patel to leave South Africa 141/4 after 24 overs. Du Plessis soon followed two overs later, also dismissed by Patel as the Proteas batsman attempted a flowing cover drive only to see Virat Kohli take a stunning catch at cover.
David Miller came in at six, but his wretched run with the willow continued as he was out first ball to leave the visitors stuttering in their chase at 142/5. It meant captain AB de Villiers (19 runs, 20 balls) once again had to produce an innings of substance, and began a typically aggressive counter attack.
This time, however, he was out caught at cover driving Mohit Sharma as the Proteas fell to 167/6 with 80 runs still needed for victory.
Farhaan Behardien was the last recognised batsman to be dismissed for 18 runs from 33 balls with South Africa staring at defeat with their score on 200/8.
It was from that point, just a matter of time until the hosts wrapped up the contest.
Earlier, a brilliantly constructed knock of eight short of a century from 86 balls by captain MS Dhoni led India to 247 for 9 in their 50 overs.
After India lost a wicket in the first over, Ajinkya Rahane set about rebuilding the innings with Kohli.
But a mixup between the pair saw Kohli needlessly run out for 12 to leave India 82 for three after 18 overs.
Rahane looked good for his 51 (63 balls, 6 fours) before he was bowled around his legs by Imran Tahir to leave the hosts 102 for four. Wickets continued to tumble, and at 124 for six in the 30th over, India looked like they might struggle to bat out their innings.
But up stepped the skipper to construct a key anchor role, before unleashing the boundary-clearing strokes in the final stages of India's efforts to construct a competitive total.
Dhoni struck 7 fours and 4 sixes in his unbeaten stay at the crease.
It was a solid all-round bowling effort from the Proteas with Morne Morkel and Tahir who both returned identical figures of 2/42 in their 10 overs.
But it was the 3/49 from Dale Steyn who was the pick of the bowlers. Credit must also go to Kagiso Rabada (1/49) who again was entrusted with the final over of the innings, and conceded just six runs with Dhoni on strike.
The 20-year-old managed five dot balls, before Dhoni smashed the final delivery for six over the square leg boundary. - ANA