'They were overconfident' - Imran Tahir after India lose ODI series against South Africa

Team India suffered a seven-wicket defeat to South Africa in the second ODI at Boland Park in Paarl on Friday. With this loss, they also lost the series with one match to go. While the batters helped the visitors in posting a competitive total on the board, the bowlers couldn’t contain the run-flow and South Africa made light work of the chase with some vital partnerships.

Meanwhile, former South African spinner Imran Tahir reckons that it is the ‘overconfidence’ that let the Indian team down in the One Day International series. He felt that the KL Rahul-led side misjudged the home team and this is where they lost the series.

“I don’t judge any team but India is a very good side and this South African team is just growing up and India misjudged them and they were overconfident that they can defeat this team easily and this is the main reason for Indian side’s defeat,” said Imran Tahir after the World Giants’ Legends League Cricket 2022 game against Asia Lions according to NDTV.

Proteas team played very well, says Tahir

While Tahir noted that India have done extremely well over the last 4-5 years but was delighted to see that a young South African defeated them in both Test and ODI series. “India dominating world cricket in Test and one day both from last 4 to 5 years but this Proteas team played very well and they took good advantage of their home conditions and turned it into victory,” the leggie added.

As far as the second ODI is concerned, after winning the toss and electing to bat first, openers KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan added 63 runs for the opening stand before the latter and Virat Kohli were dismissed in quick succession. A half-century from Rahul (55) and a quickfire 71-ball 85 from Rishabh Pant followed by an unbeaten 40 from Shardul Thakur towards the back end of the innings helped India post 287/6 from their 50 overs.

In reply, India’s frontline bowlers failed to rediscover their rhythm once the Proteas batters started targeting them right from the word go. Quinton de Kock and Janneman Malan added 132 runs for the opening stand. Malan fell nine runs short of what would have been a deserving century before skipper Temba Bavuma handed a return catch to leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal.

Nonetheless, the middle-order duo of Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen (both unbeaten on 37) added finishing touches as the Proteas got over the line in the penultimate over to seal the One Day series 2-0.