India versus South Africa 1st ODI: All-round South Africa ease towards a win

 South Africa started the One-day international series with a comfortable win over India in the first match played at Boland Park, Paarl on Wednesday.  

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and decided to bat first. Quinton de Kock and Janneman Malan started off cautiously against disciplined bowling against Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Bumrah struck getting the wicket of Janneman Malan caught by Pant. Temba Bavuma took the edge but fell did not carry to Pant. De Kock looked in decent touch putting the bad deliveries away for boundaries. At the end of the first 10 overs, South Africa scored 39 for 1.

After the field restrictions, R Ashwin was bought into the attack and troubled de Kock with his variations. Chahal also did a decent job for Team India stopping the run flow. The veteran spinner Ashwin struck immediately the first ball after drinks break getting rid of de Kock castling his stumps. De Kock and Bavuma added 39 runs for 2^nd wicket. A superb direct throw by Venetaksh Iyer resulted in a run-out of Aiden Markram to leave South Africa struggling at 68 for 3. Rassie Van der Dussen put pressure on Indian bowlers taking on Chahal and the Indian bowlers.

Bavuma and Dussen played the Indian spin twin brilliantly keeping the scoreboard ticking. Bavuma completed his fifty off 76 balls while der Dussen reached half-century off 49 balls. KL Rahul tried all things bringing back his best bowlers, but Bavuma and Dussen looked composed to maintain the momentum. Bavuma was not able to hit big shots while Dussen hit bad deliveries away for boundaries.

Bavuma completed his century off 133 balls while Dussen kept the pressure on Indian bowlers to reach century off just 83 balls. Bavuma eventually was caught by KL Rahul at long-on. Bavuma and Dussen added 204 runs for the 4^th wicket. Dussen smashed 17 runs in the last over to help South Africa post 296 in 50 overs. David Miller was not given enough deliveries to face.

In reply, Shikhar Dhawan started the innings brightly taking on Marco Jansen while KL Rahul struggled initially. Dhawan making a comeback put pressure with attacking strokes. Aiden Markram grabbed the important wicket of newly appointed captain Rahul caught by de Kock. Rahul and Dhawan added 46 runs laying a strong foundation. At the end of the first 10 overs, India scored 55 for 1.

Dhawan scored at a quick pace and made life tough for the South African bowlers. On the other hand, Kohli took some time to settle before scoring runs with ease. The stylish left-handed Dhawan completed his fifty off 51 balls while Kohli reached half-century off 60 balls. The partnership was going well for India before Maharaj disturbed the timber getting well-set Dhawan. Dhawan and Kohli added 92 runs for the 2^nd wicket. The South African bowlers kept tight lines not allowing Indian batters to score runs quickly. Shamsi dismissed well-set Kohli caught by Bavuma to put the visitors under pressure. Pant and Iyer steadied the ship for India looking to put another partnership.

Ngidi got rid of Shreyas Iyer with a short delivery caught down the leg. A brilliant piece of stumping by de Kock resulted in the wicket of Pant. South Africa kept picking wickets at regular intervals. Shardul Thakur provided some resistance hitting some lovely shots while Jasprit Bumrah gave good support to him. Thakur completed his maiden ODI fifty off 43 balls. Thakur and Bumrah added unbeaten 51 runs for the 9^th wicket.

South Africa 296 for 4 in 50 overs (Dussen 129*, Bavuma 110, Bumrah 2/48) beat India 265 for 8 in 50 overs ( Dhawan 79, Kohli 51, Shamsi 2/52, Phehlukawyo 2/26) by 31 runs. 

For his unbeaten 129 not-out, Rassie Van der Dussen was awarded the man of the match. South Africa takes a 1-0 lead in the series. The 2^nd ODI will be played at the same ground on 21^st January.

South Africa beat India in the first ODI by 31 runs.