Heinrich Klaasen's hilarious shot left Virat Kohli amused
The wicket-keeper batsman was also named Man of the Match for his efforts with the bat.
The ongoing ODI series between India and South Africa came alive on Saturday after the hosts managed to pull one back on the Men in Blue. It took a stunning performance from their middle order on the night to trump the well-balanced and strong Indian side. Heinrich Klaasen was the hero who provided the much-needed impetus to the innings. However, amidst all the tension in the middle, one shot of Klaasen was so hilarious that it left even the Indian captain Virat Kohli in splits.
South Africa were set a revised target of 202 runs in 28 overs due to rain interruption after India posted 289 in 50 overs. Despite starting well, they crumbled in the chase and were failing to match the required run-rate. Moreover, the key wicket of AB de Villiers in the 17th over, all but ended the hopes of their victory with 100 runs required in only 11 overs. The wrist spinners had a lot of overs up their sleeves and they were expected to run through the batting line-up once again.
Klaasen plays an audacious shot
The arrival of Heinrich Klaasen, playing only in his second ODI, changed the game on its head as he started playing aggressively from the word go. He took the liking particularly to Yuzvendra Chahal and tried to hit him out of the attack. Kohli and Chahal opted a strategy then and packed the leg side field inside the circle and opted to bowl wide outside the off-stump to him.
The funny incident happened on the third delivery of the 22nd over when the game was nicely poised. Klaasen shuffled to disturb the line of the bowler after which Chahal bowled a wide delivery which turned further after pitching. The batsmen, however, was adamant on hitting on the leg-side and went almost out of the strip to play a lofted shot in the same area. Eventually, he was successful in his attempt and collected a boundary after which everyone was left stunned.
Even Kohli was left smiling after being trumped by the newbie in international cricket in a funny way. As it turned out, Klaasen remained unbeaten on 43 off 27 balls and was also named Man of the Match for his efforts with the bat.
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