IND vs SA: Keshav Maharaj praises India, admits he underestimated dew factor

Keshav Maharaj (PC: Twitter)

South Africa squandered their opening lead of the three-match series against India by losing the second ODI. They found themselves at the wrong end of Shreyas Iyer’s wrath in the Indian run-chase, as the batter smacked an imperial 113*.

Hosts number three Ishan Kishan also charted a rapid 93, and piled on South Africa’s misery with his six-laden innings.

IND vs SA 2022: India levels three-match series 1-1

IND vs SA 2022: Keshav Maharaj says he underestimated dew factor at toss

Prior to the match, South African skipper Keshav Maharaj had won the toss and opted to bat first. The decision seemed to have worked wonders, as the visitors slammed a daunting 278-7 off the back of Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram’s sparkling 70s.

However, the Indian batters, particularly Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan made a mockery of the total. The two cricketers formed a 161-run stand and catered themselves to an easy series-levelling win in the run-chase.

After the match, skipper Maharaj praised the Indian players for their attacking approach with the bat. The all-rounder claimed that his bowlers attempted everything on the evening, but the hosts’ batting order found a way to come up with a win.

The cricketer also expressed his regret of batting first after winning the toss. The 32-year-old stated that he did not expect dew to play a crucial role in the proceedings. He thought the track would get slower as the game progressed, but it became easier to bat after 30 overs of the second innings.

Maharaj said:

“We didn't expect the dew to play such an important role today, hence won the toss and decided to bat. India batted really well. We thought the track would get slower and lower as the game progressed, but it got easier to bat after the 30th over. We threw everything at them, but they found a way through it.”

ALSO READ: IND vs SA 2022: Shreyas Iyer powers India to a comfortable win