India vs South Africa: 3rd ODI: Ahmedabad

South Africa won on predictable lines in the inconsequential third ODI by 90 runs at Ahmedabad today. India fielded a team digging deep into their reserves. Predictably the Indian bowling attack became a few notches weaker to be belted all around the park for 365. India could manage only 275 losing the war by 90 runs but winning the battle – the series – 2-1. The series win enabled India to maintain the 2nd position in the ICC ODI ranking for the year-ender.

Brief Scores:

South Africa 365 / 2 in 50 overs (Kallis 104, de Villiers 102)
India: 275 all out in 44.3 overs (Kohli 57, Mithun 24, Steyn 3/37)

India vs South Africa: 3rd ODI: Ahmedabad

South Africa won on predictable lines in the inconsequential third ODI by 90 runs at Ahmedabad today. India fielded a team digging deep into their reserves. Predictably the Indian bowling attack became a few notches weaker to be belted all around the park for 365. India could manage only 275 losing the war by 90 runs but winning the battle – the series – 2-1. The series win enabled India to maintain the 2nd position in the ICC ODI ranking for the year-ender.

Riding on the weak attack of the opponent, Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers cracked centuries to put South Africa on the driver’s seat. Kallis’ 104 came off only 94 balls with 5 hits to the fence and three over it – a more sedate innings compared to de Villiers who smashed through the Indian bowling attack cracking 102 runs in 59 balls laced with 11 boundaries and three 6’s.

India’s reply never looked like overhauling the huge total. Virat Kohli tried his best working out a partnership of 95 runs with Rohit Sharma for the third wicket which raised India’s hopes. But with Sharma’s (48) exit the fight fizzled out. Kohli was the highest scorer for India with 57 runs on board. The others like Dhoni, Yousuf with the exception of Suresh Raina (49) never showed any promise to take the fight to the opponents. Abhimanyu Mithun, who made his debut for India, made a brave 24 in 23 balls with two 6’s but his was a too late a fight.

However, having said that it was good to see that India, with its virtual A team, put on a brave fight against the best bowling attack in the world. With the kind of reserves shaping up, the future seems to be bright for Indian cricket.

Brief Scores:

South Africa 365 / 2 in 50 overs (Kallis 104, de Villiers 102)
India: 275 all out in 44.3 overs (Kohli 57, Mithun 24, Steyn 3/37)