A fighting unbeaten knock of 92 by captain MS Dhoni helped India reach an underwhelming 247-9 after they won the toss and batted first in the second ODI at the Holkar Cricket Stadium.
In the end Dhoni fell short of a well deserved hundred, but his innings off 86 balls proved vital in helping India reach a score they can bowl at.
As was the case in the first ODI, it was again Dhoni against Kagiso Rabada in the final over, but with Dhoni not keen to take singles he had to wait until the last delivery of the innings to hit a six, which was the only runs off the over.
This time South Africa’s bowlers managed to take wickets up front and had India in trouble on 104-5. It seemed unlikely that India would be able to bat out their overs, but the fact that they did is down to Dhoni’s measured approach and experience.
Rabada got dangerman Rohit Sharma early for three with a superb delivery that uprooted his off-stump. Virat Kohli, under pressure to score some runs, was run-out after a misfield and bad communication with Ajinkya Rahane, who played well for his 51.
Dhoni took control of the innings and paced it well, but he ran out of reliable partners towards the end when Dale Steyn, who claimed 3-49, took two wickets in the 47th over which forced Dhoni to retain most of the strike for the last few overs.
Morne Morkel and Imran Tahir also chipped in with two wickets apiece and South Africa will feel confident of chasing down an average target at best.
Picture: AFP
