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Jansen-Bosch power South Africa to rare ODI milestone with dual 50s from No. 7 and below

Kaushik Kashyap

Marco Jansen & Corbin Bosch (Source: AFP Photos)Marco Jansen & Corbin Bosch (Source: AFP Photos)

India edged past South Africa in a high-scoring thriller in Ranchi, defending a massive total in the first ODI. Despite South Africa’s early collapse while chasing 350, a remarkable counterattack from the middle and lower order took the contest deep into the final over before India sealed a tense 17-run win.

South Africa’s lower order stuns India with a rare fightback

South Africa’s chase seemed hit by a setback early as their top order crumbled inside the powerplay, leaving them with a steep mountain to climb. But what unfolded next was one of the most spirited lower-order recoveries in recent ODI memory. The Proteas’ Nos. 7 and 8 not only revived the innings but also threatened to snatch a sensational win.

After the early reconstruction from the middle-order, Marco Jansen led the fightback with a breathtaking 70 off 39 balls, unleashing a counterattacking blitz that echoed his recent stellar form from the Guwahati Test. His clean striking and fearless approach flipped the pressure back on India, and to some extent shifted the momentum of the match.

Jansen’s innings was followed by another exceptional effort, this time from Corbin Bosch, who arrived at No. 8 and played with maturity and authority beyond expectations. His 67 off 51 balls kept South Africa alive deep into the game, guiding the lower order through crucial partnerships and taking the chase into the final over.

Multiple 50-plus scores from No. 7 or lower for SA in ODIs

Players
Opposition
Venue
Year
Dale Benkenstein (69) & Lance Klusener (54*)WICape Town1999
Shaun Pollock (52) & Lance Klusener (52*)ZIMChelmsford1999
Mark Boucher (55*) & Lance Klusener (52*)AUSJohannesburg2000
Justin Kemp (100*) & Andrew Hall (56*)INDCape Town2006
Marco Jansen (70) & Corbin Bosch (67)INDRanchi2025

This match marked just the fifth instance in South Africa’s ODI history where multiple half-centuries were scored by batters at No. 7 or lower, an extraordinary statistical rarity that highlighted the magnitude of their effort.

Though the visitors eventually fell short by 17 runs, their lower order’s resilience and fearlessness stood out as one of the moments to remember from this match, turning what looked like a one-sided contest into a last-over thriller.