Picture Credit: Twitter
Shikhar Dhawan-led India suffered a 9-run defeat against South Africa in their 1st ODI played on Thursday (6 October). With the regulars of the team not around, it was always going to be a challenging task for the Men in Blue to beat a full-fledged South African side. With the kind of India start India got, 250 was always a big ask but two terrific half-centuries from two quality players, Sanju Samson and Shreyas Iyer kept India in the hunt.
Samson tried till the last over but it was not just enough as Shamsi successfully defended 30 runs. The wicketkeeper batter scored an unbeaten 86 off just 63 balls powered by nine boundaries and three sixes but a win wasn’t meant for India. After conceding 249 runs in the 40 overs (the match was reduced to 40-over per side due to rain), India started horribly as Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill departe d cheaply.
Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaekwad tried to implement the rescue act but could not cope up with the scoring rate and eventually perished to the spin duo of Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj. But then started the Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson show as the two batters stitched a 67-run partnership for the fifth wicket. After Iyer departed, Shardul Thakur joined hands with Samson to take on South African bowlers but he too perished, In the end, Samson fell alone and could not win it for India.
With the Men in Blue putting in a valiant effort in the absence of their regulars, Twitter heaped praise on the team, especially Samson.
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