Spirited performance by bowlers helped India beat South Africa by 22 runs in the second One-Day International (ODI) at Indore. With this win the home side now level the five-match series one each. Defending 248, Indian bowlers led by Axar Patel’s three-wicket haul bundled out South Africa for 223 in 43.4 overs.
South Africa got off to a good start with openers Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock scoring at a rate of close to over seven in first few overs. But it was Axar Patel who put the brakes on Proteas scoring rate by removing Amla (17).
Few overs later, Harbhajan Singh, who replaced injured Ravi Ashwin for this match, dismissed de Kock (34). After that Faf du Plessis and JP Duminy shared 82-run stand for the third wicket and looked like South Africa are well on course for second consecutive win.
However, Axar Patel struck in quick succession to pick Duminy (36) and du Plessis (51) to change the course of the match. India soon found another wicket in shape of David Miller, who fell to Bhuvneshwar Kumar for a first ball duck, to leave South Africa tottering at 142 for five.
After that India Kept picking wickets at regular intervals and never allowed the visitors to bounce back. With a moderate target to defend, Harbhajan Singh removed Farhaan Behardien in the 40th over to put India in the driving seat.
Patel ended with figures of 3/39 in his ten overs. He was well supported by Bhuvi’s 3/41. Harbhajan picked two wickets while Umesh Yadav and Mohit Sharma scalped a wicket each.
Earlier MS Dhoni slammed unbeaten 92, which included seven fours and four sixes, to take his side to a respectable total. India at one stage were tottering at 165 for seven, but Dhoni took control of things towards the end and played a pivotal role with the bat.
The top-order, barring Ajinkya Rahane who scored 51, failed to deliver as South African bowlers kept picking wickets. Dhoni stitched some vital partnerships with the tail to take India to 247 in 50 overs.
For South Africa Dale Steyn picked three wickets while Morne Morkel and Imran Tahir chipped with two wickets each. Kagiso Rabada picked a wicket as well. Both teams now travel to Rajkot for the third ODI on Sunday.
