Former Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan defended Team India’s batting after they suffered a four-wicket loss against South Africa at Raipur on Wednesday. India posted a par score of 358 runs on the board after they were put into bat by Temba Bavuma.
After Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma were dismissed in the first 10 overs, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Virat Kohli played fine knocks of 105 and 102 runs respectively. The duo added 195 runs off 156 balls for the third wicket as both of them batted at the top of their game.
India’s stand-in captain KL Rahul continued his rich form, adding the finishing touches with a 43-ball 66. However, India could not defend the total as the Proteas leveled the three-match series.
India were 284-4 after 39 overs but could only manage 74 runs in the last 11 overs. Ravindra Jadeja could only manage 24 runs off 27 balls.
Zaheer Khan said on Cricbuzz, “You can’t ask for more than 358. Yes, if you get more, it’s a bonus. If you are not able to defend 358, you’ll struggle to defend 370 as well. The previous game also showed a glimpse of what South Africa can do and how the Indian bowlers were under pressure. This was a progression of that in this particular game.”
Khan said India’s new ball bowlers could not take advantage of the movement that was on offer.
“Initially there was still some movement that the bowlers could have taken advantage of. Arshdeep was very good with that. Harshit couldn’t replicate what he did in the first game. That was the one moment where Markram was struggling early on with inside edges that went for boundaries,” he said.
The former Indian pacer said South Africa were able to manage their run chase with guile.
“There was an opportunity of creating pressure there which India missed. Markram cashed in on that. The other batters all contributed big after that. And maybe dew contributed a bit but it was a well managed run-chase,” added Zaheer.
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.
