After all the hype and hoopla, Indians fans experienced a let down after the first India South Africa ODI at Kingsmead, Durban as India lost by a huge margin of 135 runs even as the South African batsmen were on song.
lonwabo tsotsobe in durban
South Africa were all business in the first ODI even as India toyed with a few strategies and personnel that failed to take off. Without Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, it was going to be tough for India to chase a total like 289 under lights. But with a batting heavy line up, that they sunk so low was a disappointment, even if it were not ideal preparations for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.
Hashim Amla got South Africa off to a rattling start, emphasizing how well he has adjusted from one form to another, with a blazing half century off just thirty-five balls. And the price had to be paid on India's part and Ashish Nehra is coming off looking rather poorly as he did after the match with figures of one for sixty-one after six overs.
Instant problems for the Indian captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, saw him employ spinners ahead of pacers including the part time of Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh.
However, South Africa responded with a strong 130 run partnership between AB de Villiers and JP Duminy and the duo were so persistent about their efforts that South Africa had no hesitation in taking the batting power play before the thirty overs.
AB de Villiers' prolific form continues, slamming seventy-six runs while JP Duminy showed good temperament for seventy-three as South Africa seized the situation and made it their own.
Presumably batting at night was going to be tough at Durban but the South African bowlers must also be credited for using the conditions rather well. Morne Morkel and Lonwabo Tsotsobe in particular extracted plenty of bounce and it was not long before the trio including Dale Steyn were beginning to reap the rewards of their efforts.
Murali Vijay was found lacking in footwork while bounce undid Yuvraj Singh. In the midst Tsotsobe enjoyed seeing the back of Sachin Tendulkar. Apart from Virat Kohli's easily missed half century and Dhoni's thirty-two runs, there really was nothing to write home about as India continued to crash steadily and by thirty-six overs, South Africa had the match sealed with Tsotsobe emerging the hero with four wickets as India were bowled out for 154.
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