Sanju Samson in action in first ODI (PC: Twitter)
Team India, under interim skipper Shikhar Dhawan, succumbed to a nine-run defeat in the first ODI against South Africa. The captain himself failed to get going in the run-chase, as the Indian top four crumbled under pressure in the rain-curtailed 40-over contest.
Sanju Samson sparked the much-needed rebellion in the Indian innings, whacking a career-best 86* from just 63 balls. Shreyas Iyer and Shardul Thakur also played starring roles with the bat after the team was reduced to 51-4 in 18 overs.
Shikhar Dhawan blames top-order for defeat
After the match, Shikhar Dhawan praised Sanju Samson for his fighting knock against South Africa, despite facing an uphill task in the run-chase. The senior cricketer also credited Shreyas Iyer and Shardul Thakur for their notable contributions in the innings, which kept India afloat with the required rate for a major part of the game.
The opening batter, however, did blame the top-order failure in their unsuccessful attempt in the second innings. Both Dhawan and his opening partner Shubman Gill fell inside the double-digits while Ishan Kishan and debutant Ruturaj Gaikawad also failed to counter the South African new-ball challenge. He said:
“While chasing we didn't get a good start but the way Shreyas, Samson and Shardul played was fabulous. The score was a bit too much as the wicket offered some turn. We leaked few runs in the field. But they are young boys, it’s a good experience and learning for them.”
The two sides will now engage in the second ODI on October 9 in Ranchi.
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