India’s spin sensations, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal continued their red-hot form as they ran through the South African batting line-up to help the Men in Blue bowl out South Africa for a modest 118 in the ongoing second One-Day International. Chahal was the pick of the bowler, taking 5 for 22 while Kuldeep picked up 3 for 20.
Virat Kohli’s decision to bowl first was fully backed his opening bowlers – Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah. The duo kept things tight right from the outset, not giving Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla even an inch to free their arms. De Kock and Amla were not looking at their fluent best as the Proteas huffed and puffed to just 14 in the first six overs.
Markram is leading the hosts in Faf du Plessis’ absence (Credits: BCCI)
India got the first breakthrough when Bhuvneshwar Kumar had Amla edge one behind the stumps with the scoreboard reading 39. And just a run after the hosts crossed the fifty-run mark, India firmly took command of the proceedings by taking three quick wickets to leave South Africa reeling at 51 for 4 from 51 for 1. India’s wrist-spinners – Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav – were once again the architect. It was Chahal who triggered the collapse by dismissing de Kock before Kuldeep Yadav sent back stand-in skipper Aiden Markram and David Miller in space of five balls.
Kuldeep Yadav celebrates a wicket (Credits: BCCI)
Debutant Khaya Zondo and JP Duminy then began the repair work. The duo were fighting out of their skin to keep the scoreboard ticking. However, just when it looked the batsmen have settled down, Chahal pushed the Proteas on backfoot by dismissing both of them in quick succession. Kagiso Rabada also failed to get going, falling to Kuldeep as South Africa were reduced to 110 for 7. The lower-order could not do much as the hosts were bundled up for just 118.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the innings:
South African batting minus Faf and ABDV = ?? #SAvIND
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 4, 2018
SA coach: Kohli's scoring too many tons in chases. We must stop him.
SA – We won't score that many. ???#SAvIND
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) February 4, 2018
South African team's total score looks like Middle class bank balance after Arun Jaitley's budget.
— EngiNerd. (@mainbhiengineer) February 4, 2018
India inspired by India U-19 it seems. #savind
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) February 4, 2018
If Chahal doesn’t get you, Kuldeep will and vice versa #SAvsIND
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) February 4, 2018
South Africa trying to read Kuldeep, Chahal. pic.twitter.com/iGDO2ZFs8V
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) February 4, 2018
Kuldeep and Chahal deny Virat Kohli yet another ODI 100 #SAvIND
— Vignesh Ananthasubramanian (@MadridistaSays) February 4, 2018
How immensely valuable Kuldeep yadav and Yuzu Chahal have been in the limited-overs in last 8 months.. Invariably snap up wickets during middle overs; have reasonable economy rates.. Bowl creditably in tandem.. #SAvIND
— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) February 4, 2018
South African batting without ABD and FAF #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/yJefaIgMvK
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) February 4, 2018
Kuldeep Chahal might go down as one of the most successful bowling pairs in the history!
— Nikhil Mane ??? (@nikhiltait) February 4, 2018
Peacock bowling to de Kock. #INDvSA #pandya
— LOLendra Singh (@LOLendraSingh) February 4, 2018
Hardik Pandya has 2 different strategies for test & ODIs
1. Yellow hair for test.
2. Blue hair for ODIs#INDvSA
— Sunil- The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) February 4, 2018
Right, so Hardik Pandya bowls because it’s the Friendship Series #SAvsIND
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) February 4, 2018
Hashim Amla's last ten inngs vs India in ODIs:
13, 22, 37, 17, 5, 7, 23, 35, 16 & 23 (today)#SAvIND— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) February 4, 2018
