India v South Africa 3rd ODI review: India choke as South Africa take lead

India v South Africa 3rd ODI review: India choke as South Africa take lead: It seems to be a set template for the series. Set a score on the board (a below par, or at best, par one), look like losing it halfway into the second innings and then ask the opposition to choke. Known for its high scoring encounters, Rajkot witnessed a classic one day match.

India were on the mat when South Africa were just two down with about 10 overs to go. They came back superbly as the Proteas crumbled eventually managing 270. And when the hosts were cruising with the Dhoni and Kohli partnership, some disciplined bowling brought the visitors back and it was decisive as South Africa eventually won by 18 runs to take a 2-1 lead in the 5-game series.

The match began amidst a possible disruption from Hardik Patel and his community over a reservation issue. But that was safely out of equation with his detention by the local administration in Rajkot.

Earlier AB de Villiers had little hesitation in choosing to bat after winning the toss. The pitch looked like a bowler’s graveyard and AB was hoping for his batsmen to capitalize on that. But we all were in for a surprise. David Miller the hard-hitting southpaw came to open the innings with Quinton de Cock. Hashim Amla, who has been woefully out of touch was slotted in at number 3

The opening pair began in style punishing the Indian pacers Mohit and Bhuvi who were pretty wavered. That forced them to apply the round the wicket strategy to deny quick runs.

Harbhajan Singh was brought on in the 8th over and forced the openers to a more conservative mode as they assessed his flight. De Kock brought up South Africa’s 50 with back-to-back straight drives, and even when Amit Mishra was brought on from the other end, the batsmen seemed to have a measure of the situation. Miller eventually failed to read Bhajji’s flight as India had its 1st wicket.

As Amla came in Dhoni quickly brought Axar into the attack. The ball was gripping and turning and Amla’s attempted drive only materialized in a stumping by Dhoni.

De Cock completed a half century even as Faf du Plessis got a life courtsey’s Mohit Sharma’s no ball. The South African wicket keeper completed his 4th ODI ton against India as South Africa set themselves for the final assault. None of that was on display though as they lost quick wickets. A mix up with AB cost de Cock his wicket. The big wicket however came in the next over. Axar Patel got one to dart into AB de Villiers and had the star batsman out for just 4.

Duminy and Behardien were not finding the boundaries and a last ball six from the latter ensured South Africa reached 270, well short of where they looked like ending up a while ago. For India the spinners were pretty economical.

Rohit and Dhawan made a circumspect start to the chase, preferring to leave the deliveries outside off-stump. In the quest of wickets AB brought Morkel into the attack who had earlier dropped a regulation catch of Rohit. Dhawan having played six consecutive dot balls off Morkel eventually perished.

And for the first time in the series Virat came at number three. The Indian Test captain picked up a couple of boundaries of JP Duminy to get going.

Rohit got to his fifty in fine fashion sending Tahir for a straight six. The partnership was looking dangerous and the tourist needed wickets. Duminy took a low return catch to dismiss Rohit.

MS Dhoni and Kohli began rotating the strike as South Africa looked helpless. But after his fifty Kohli surprisingly slowed down which eventually turned out to be crucial in the game. The assault they were planning for never really came as South Africa squeezed the chase with a succession of miserly overs and a flurry of short balls. The equation changed to 97 off 70 balls,

India’s two most experienced ODI batsmen continued to struggle as South Africa’s pacers adopted a short ball strategy to keep them tied down. Morkel then got Dhoni with a slower bouncer that he tamely guided into the hands of the backward point fielder

Raina disappointed again after Kanpur and fell to a Tahir googly. The chase was dented seriously when Rahane and Kohli fell in successive balls. The match was decided there. Axar Patel finished the Indian innings in similar fashion as their counterparts, the only difference, 18 runs short.

Surely 270 on this pitch wasn’t a match winning one. And once again after batting themselves into a commanding position, the Indian middle order made a hash of it. Though Kohli’s return to form is a positive sign, this was India’s game and they would regret not getting over the line. South Africa are delighted and will look to seal the series in Chennai.

The series might not have witnessed a 350-run carnival by either teams but there has been no lack of thrill. And the bowler’s are certainly not complaining.

Brief Scores:

South Africa – 270/7 50 overs (Quinton de Cock 103, Du Plessis 60; Mohit 2-62)

India – 252/6 50 overs  (Kohli 77 Rohit 65; Morkel 4-39)

Man Of the Match – Morne Morkel

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