Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has picked the turning point of the second ODI between India and South at Raipur, which the visitors won by four wickets to level the three-match series 1-1. India posted a par score of 358 runs on the board after they were put into bat by Temba Bavuma.
However, Pathan reckons India could have posted more than 370 runs on the board. India were going strongly at 257-3 after 35.4 overs but they could only add 101 runs in the last 86 balls.
The hosts were able to score 18 runs in the final over of their innings but they could only score 55 runs between 39 to 49th over. While India’s stand-in captain KL Rahul scored an impressive knock of 66 runs off just 43 balls, Ravindra Jadeja could only manage 24 runs off 27 balls.
“Aiden Markram batted exceptionally well, as did Temba Bavuma, Matthew Breetzke and Dewald Brevis. The bowling also deserves praise due to the way they pulled India back. The score of 358 could have even been 370 but the way they bowled from overs 39 to 49 – they gave only 55 runs – they pulled things back well. The way Lungi Ngidi started and he finished, it was a big difference. KL Rahul made 18 runs in the final over and his innings was magnificent. But it was crucial how South Africa pulled things back. That made the difference. We spoke in the commentary that the way Ravindra Jadeja batted, India could be in trouble,” Pathan said on his YouTube Channel.
Pathan noted that Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh were able to impress with the new ball but Aiden Markram had a set plan and scored a match-winning knock of 110 runs off just 98 balls.
“Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh impressed with the new ball. But South Africa’s plan was not to lose more than one wicket with the new ball. Markram played carefully and his approach was clear against the pacers. Markram’s previous three tons had come at the middle order and it was his first as an opener. When the ball came at off-stump, he was standing on the leg stump and tried making room. He stood back to utilize the bounce and used the cut quite well. He struck a four straight down the ground against Washington Sundar and played one off the back foot against Kuldeep Yadav. Even against finger spinners, he played straight. Markram had a plan to play square against pacers and straight against spinners.”
The third and final ODI between India and South Africa will be played at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam, on Saturday.
