Twitter Reactions: Clinical South Africa make India look ordinary to clinch ODI series

The ODI series also goes in South Africa’s kitty as India suffered a seven-wicket defeat in the second ODI. Having lost the opening game by 31 runs, the Men in Blue were standing in a do-or-die match and looked determined to get the favourable result. However, the Proteas side once again got the better of the visitors. Openers Janneman Malan and Quinton de Kock slammed half-centuries as South Africa earned an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Earlier in the game, India won the toss and elected to bowl at the Boland Park in Paarl. Skipper KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan gave India a steady start, adding 63 runs for the first wicket. However, Dhawan and former skipper Virat Kohli were dismissed in quick succession as the hosts found themselves back in the hunt. However, Rahul found a potent partner in Rishabh Pant and the duo steadied the ship.

Another Rishabh Pant special against South Africa

While Rahul was happy to take the back seat, Pant was at his destructive best as he played some delightful shots all over the park. He even notched up his highest ODI score and looked all set to slam his maiden century in the format. However, Tabraiz Shamsi dismissed him for 85. Meanwhile, Rahul also got out after breaching the 50-run.

The late impetus was provided by Shardul Thakur and Ravichandran Ashwin as India posted 287/6. Chasing the challenging target, South Africa needed a solid start and openers Quinton de Kock and Janneman Malan provided them the same. They added 132 runs for the first wicket as India looked utterly clueless.

Although De Kock was dismissed for a quickfire 78, his dismissal didn’t help India much. Centurion from the last game and Proteas skipper, Temba Bavuma walked in at number three and continued troubling Indian bowlers. He and Malan further added 90 runs for the second wicket, knocking the victors out of the hunt.

Malan (91) failed to reach the three-figure mark but did put his side in a comfortable position. Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen took the baton and made sure there’s no twist in the tale. As a result, the hosts crossed the line in 48.1 overs, clinching the contest by seven wickets. The third ODI will take place at the Newlands in Cape Town.

Meanwhile, let’s look at how Twitterati reacted to South Africa’s win:

Bowling in white-ball cricket needs a shake-up…

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 21, 2022

This is a Temba Bavuma’s captaincy appreciation tweet…very impressive. #SAvInd

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 21, 2022

Wow 🤩 de kock! Stunning piece of work . So smooth and easy #keepersdream

— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) January 21, 2022

Rishabh Pant showing why it’s difficult for the spinners to bowl in the middle overs with 5 inside the circle…you gotta put pressure on them to exploit that rule. 💪👏👏 #SAvInd

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 21, 2022

Magala in for SA. His second ODI after making his debut in the rain affected game against Netherlands. He's been around and did well domestically for a long period of time.

Good with the new ball. #SAvIND

— Alviro Petersen (@AlviroPetersen) January 21, 2022

Time to look beyond some of these bowlers in white ball cricket. In a T20 world year when bilateral ODI cricket has very little significance India should try newer bowlers rather than going back to Bhuvi et al.

— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) January 21, 2022

Only two things to cheer about for India. Bumrah is in a different league and Pant produced an innings of great class.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 21, 2022

India's bowling made to look pedestrian by this crop of South African batsmen.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 21, 2022

India's template in white ball cricket is outdated, to put it mildly.

— Nikhil Naz (@NikhilNaz) January 21, 2022

So 2022 has raised more questions than giving us the answers! #IndvSA

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) January 21, 2022

South Africa have batted magnificently. And Bavuma has got more out of this bowling line-up than seemed likely. Think SA may have found a fine captain.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 21, 2022

A team unsure of its combination and style of play gets smashed by a side relying more on specialists.

2-0 up SA, rightly. Well won, SA. 👏

India need to take their sponsor seriously and need to learn a few lessons.

— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) January 21, 2022

What a series victory for South Africa. They outplayed India in the first two games and shown they're a great team too. Bavuma, Rassie, Malan, Quinton all shown promise with the bat and they're the victories. Hard luck for India, bowling not at its best.

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 21, 2022

This young, ‘inexperienced’ and rebuilding team is not bad at all. Still some tweaking needed but I get the feeling this team will cause more shock in New Zealand #SAvIND

— Xolani Koyana (@JustKoyana) January 21, 2022

Congratulations to South Africa 🇿🇦 on series victory they have being way too clinical in all these games. They dominated India 🇮🇳 in every department and come out with shining. Totally deserved 👏🏻 South Africa would have ticked ✅ many boxes#SAvIND | #SAvsIND | #BetwayODISeries

— Saurabh Garewal 🇮🇳 (@garewal_saurabh) January 21, 2022