Shreyas Iyer’s brilliant 113* and Ishan Kishan’s 93-run knock helped India to chase the target of 279 quite comfortably in Ranchi. Playing in his hometown, it was Kishan’s highest score in his short ODI career. The Iyer-Kishan duo added up 161 runs in their partnership.
While batting first, South Africa scored 278 with the help of Markram’s 79 and Hendricks’ 74. Siraj bowled quite well taking 3 wickets for 38 runs.
In reply, India chased the total with the loss of only three wickets and 25 balls to spare.
South Africa Innings
South Africa was playing without regular captain Temba Bavuma so Maharaj was standing in as a captain. Toss luck favoured South Africa and Maharaj decided to bat first.
Markram and Reeza Hendricks put on a 129-run partnership after De Kock got dismissed cheaply by Siraj.
Shahbaz Ahmed, who was making his debut, got the better of Janneman Malan, who was looking good. Markram arrived at number 4 and stabilized the Proteas inning.
Once 150 for 2 in the 30th over, Siraj gave the much-needed breakthrough sending Hendricks(74) to the pavilion.
Klassen and Markram tried to move the innings but Klassen departed soon at the individual score of 30 followed by Markram at 79.
David Miller was trying to build the innings but got little or no help from the non-striker end. Eventually, Proteas could only set the total of 278 with the loss of 7 wickets.
Indian Innings
India didn’t have a great start as captain Dhawan got out cheaply. Shubhman Gill couldn’t do much either and scored 28 off 20 before getting caught and bowled to Rabada.
After that vice-captain, Shreyas Iyer and the local boy took the matter into their hands and accumulated 161 runs together.
Rabada and Nortje were ineffective and Kishan wasn’t uncomfortable in hooking the ball. Iyer, who’s been a victim of the short balls recently tried to cut the fear by slashing the short ones to the extra square or point region.
As Kishan was nearing the 100, he tried to play his hit to the deep midwicket and ended up as a catch to Hendricks on Fortuin’s delivery.
Sanju Samson then played a few good shots and took the team to a comfortable win.
Iyer was adjudged as Player of the Match for his match-winning unbeaten 100.
Shreyas Iyer’s Masterclass
Shreyas Iyer has been one of the most promising youngsters. His leadership abilities are very much in line for the captainship role.
However, the only hurdler between him and his fine form has been the short ball. While in the shortest format, he has been quite vulnerable to it, in ODIs he has been in great form.
In his last 6 innings, Iyer has scored four fifties, one hundred and a 40+ score. Iyer was in great form in t20is as well he remained not out in the whole Sri Lankan series but Suryakumar Yadav has been in a league of his own.
Shreyas Iyer has been selected as a standby player for the t20i wc.
