Quinton de Kock survives despite ball hitting the stumps

The Indian team absolutely outclassed hosts South Africa in the opening two encounters of the 6-match ODI series. After a 1-2 Test drubbing, it looked an uphill task to defeat the Proteas in the limited-over format, especially since they were on a 17 match unbeaten streak at home. But the Virat Kohli-led side managed to turn around their fortunes, with the skipper stepping up on both the occasions to guide India over the rope.

In the second ODI at Centurion, that culminated yesterday, the Men in Blue triumphed to a massive 9-wicket win. And in the absence of marquee batsman AB De Villiers and skipper Faf Du Plessis, the Indians exploited their vacancies to the fullest. Wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal swept away the Proteas batting lineup, with the duo sharing 8 wickets between them.

However, during the South Africa innings, there was a moment when fortune favored Proteas opener Quinton de Kock. In just the second over of the match, the wicketkeeper-batsman dragged a Jasprit Bumrah delivery back on to the stumps but incredibly, the bails remained intact as De Kock survived.

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But, the 25-year-old’s luck ran out pretty quickly as his woeful form in the ongoing tour continued.  The wicketkeeper-batsman was dismissed by Chahal becoming his first victim. The left-hander was dismissed for 20 after being holed out in the deep. He is now out of the ODI series after sustaining a wrist injury in the second ODI at Centurion.

Chahal shines as India wins

Chahal was the destroyer-in-chief, bagging a career-best 5/22 from 8.2 overs as India ran riot in Centurion. Chahal’s fifer helped India bowl out South Africa for a paltry 118, their lowest ODI total at home. India eventually crushed hosts by nine wickets in the 2nd ODI to take a 2-0 lead.

Chahal’s figures were the best by any Indian bowler on South African soil, eclipsing Yuvraj Singh’s 4 for 6 against Namibia at Pietermaritzburg during 2003 World Cup. With the feat, the leggie also became the first spinner to take a five-wicket haul in the 50-over format against the Proteas in the rainbow nation.