South Africa v India: Sachin Tendulkar hails Team India after the first ODI

Following a disappointing run in the freedom series, Team India came back strongly to win the first one-day international against South Africa at Kingsmead, Durban. Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar lauded the Indian cricket team after their emphatic victory in the first one-day. Tendulkar hailed the two great partnerships which helped India clinch a victory in the first one-day.

Faf Du Plessis won the toss and elected to bat first on a wicket that looked good for batting. The Proteas were cruising at 83 for 1 before the spinners came to India’s rescue. Spin twins Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal took over the reigns of spin bowling in limited overs cricket from Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja following a defeat in the final of Champions Trophy 2017. The spin duo has been brilliant since then, they have controlled the flow of runs in the middle overs and have also picked up crucial wickets in the middle overs.

In the first one-day international Kuldeep Yadav recorded figures of 3 for 34 whereas Yuzvendra Chahal recorded figures of 2 for 45 in their ten overs spells. The duo made sure that the Proteas did not get any easy runs. After an impressive performance from the bowlers, it was time for the batsmen to deliver. Chasing 270, India started aggressively before Rohit Sharma gave his wicket away on a delivery bowled by Morne Morkel. Shikhar Dhawan was looking good at 35 but a communication error between him and the skipper resulted in a run-out.

Tendulkar hails Kohli/Rahane

At the fall of the second wicket, India’s latest number four recruit came to India’s rescue. Rahane alongside Captain Kohli built a sensible partnership to ensure that the visitors win the game easily. Ajinkya Rahane scored 79 off 85 deliveries and Captain Kohli scored a match-winning century, Kohli scored a magnificent 112 off 119 deliveries to take his side through.

The pair of Chahal/Kuldeep and Kohli/Rahane received praise from the cricketing god Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar wrote in his tweet “Two great partnerships to take India to victory. First, @imkuldeep18 along with @yuzi_chahal and then @imVkohli with @ajinkyarahane88. Great work, boys. Keep up the momentum, #TeamIndia. #INDvSA.”