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Cricket

IND vs SA 2nd ODI: India beats SA, levels series 1-1

Shreyas Iyer hit an unbeaten 113 and had a 161-run partnership with Ishan Kishan to lead India to a seven-wicket win in the second One-day International in Ranchi on Sunday.

India lost both openers, including captain Shikhar Dhawan, within nine overs while pursuing 279, but Kishan smashed 93 and Iyer delivered a career-best innings to help the hosts win with 25 balls to spare.

1113“I must say that Ishan and Shreyas’s partnership was fantastic to see,” Dhawan added. “The ball was coming on well, but it stayed low. So we decided to go after the bowlers in the first 10 overs. But once the dew entered the scene, it was all downhill.”

South Africa were 40-2 when Reeza Hendricks (74) and Aiden Markram (79) collaborated for a run-a-ball session of 129, putting a 300-plus total within reach.

Following their departure, Heinrich Klaasen (30) and David Miller (35 not out) scored quickly, but the Indian bowlers surrendered just 57 runs in the final 10 overs to limit South Africa to 278-7. Mohammed Siraj was the highlight of India’s attack, collecting 3-38 in 10 overs.

113“I guess we didn’t anticipate the dew to play such a large factor, which is why we chose to bat after winning the toss,” South Africa’s captain Keshav Maharaj said. “However, Shreyas and Sanju deserve recognition. We anticipated it to become slower and lower, but the pitch improved after 20 overs,” he added.

Shreyas Iyer,  Player of the Match said: “I am ecstatic, to be honest. When I went in to bat, I spoke to Ishan and he was in the mindset to take on the bowlers. So we decided to play the ball on merit and see how it goes. Tomorrow is a travel day and then day after another match. Motivated for that, let’s see what’s in store for me and the team. I am not someone who changes according to the bowler. I am someone who changes on the instinct. It’s not something I try in nets first, I change it in the match itself.”

Shikhar Dhawan, Winning Indian Captain said: “The toss worked perfectly, I am glad. Thanks to Keshav that he chose to bat. I must say that Ishan and Shreyas, the way they created that partnership was great to watch. The ball was coming on nicely but it was keeping low. So our plan was to take on the bowlers in the first ten overs. But once the dew came into the picture, it was skidding on. So the back-foot shots were easy to execute. I am very pleased with the bowlers, especially Shahbaz, the way he bowled in the first ten overs and got us the breakthrough.”

Final Scores: India 282/3 [Shreyas 113*, Kishan 93] beat South Africa 278/7 [Markram 79, Hendricks 74, Siraj 3-38] by seven wickets

 

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