IND vs SA: South Africa Languishes At 11th Spot In World Cup Super League Despite Win Against India

South Africa beat India by 9 runs in the first ODI of the three-match series at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Thursday, October 06. Following a two-hour rain delay, the visitors beat second-string India in a 40-over match.

With the thrilling win against India, South Africa earned 10 crucial points in the ICC World Cup Super League standings. The Proteas team now has 59 points after beating India in the first ODI. The Proteas need to win as many games as possible to avoid playing in the World Cup Qualifier tournament in Zimbabwe next summer. The Temba Bavuma-led team continues to remain in 11th position in the points table.

Meanwhile, the Indian cricket team is not worried about this series. By hosting the ICC World Cup 2023, the Men in Blue have already qualified for the mega tournament. India are currently sixth in the points table with 109 points from 16 games.

Only Zimbabwe (12th) and the Netherlands (13th) rank lower than South Africa in the standings. Even if the Proteas win the three-match series against India, as well as the ODI series against England at home and the two remaining matches of the suspended home series against the Netherlands, they will not automatically qualify for the mega tournament.

Heinrich Klaasen And David Miller Put On 139-run Partnership

South Africa were reduced to 71/3 after opening a 49-run partnership. In quick succession, Janneman Malan and Temba Bavuma were dismissed by Shardul Thakur. Then Ravi Bishnoi dismissed Quinton de Kock for 48 runs, and the visitors were in big trouble.

Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller put on a 139-run partnership for the fifth wicket and helped South Africa reach a respectable score of 249 in 40 overs. Klaasen scored an unbeaten half century of 74 runs in 65 balls, while Miller scored 75 runs off 63 balls.

With the new ball, South African fast bowlers troubled the Indian top order. After the loss of four wickets for 51 runs, Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson built an innings with a half century stand. Iyer got out in the 27th over of Lungi Ngidi’s bowling when he was trying to play a big shot. Despite late fireworks from Samson and Thakur, India fell short of the target, as South Africa picked up some much-needed Super League points.

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