Axar Patel Lets The Ball do The Talking

Axar Patel justified his surprise selection with a three-wicket haul to help India win the second One-Day International by 22 runs against South Africa in Indore.(Match Report | Scorecard | Highlights)

The left-arm spinner, who had leaked 62 runs in the recently-concluded Twenty20 series against the Proteas, replaced the in-form leg-spinner Amit Mishra in the team.(Dhoni Snubs Critics)

Earlier, India riding on an unbeaten 92 from Mahendra Singh Dhoni, posted a competitive 247-9. South Africa in reply, were dismissed for 225 in 43.4 overs.(Axar Selection Hardik Motivated?)

Dhoni was forced to bring in Patel early and the left-armer struck immediately. Patel removed opener Hashim Amla, after the former had the South African stumped for 17.

Amla, who had hit Patel for a boundary earlier in the over, chipped down the track to repeat his stroke. However, he failed to make any connection as Dhoni completed an easy stumping.

The all-rounder struck once again in his comeback spell - his seventh over - as he had Jean-Paul Duminy walking back after being adjudged LBW for 36.

In the next over, he removed the other well-set batsman Faf du Plessis for 51. Du Plessis was looking good in the middle before Virat Kohli pulled off a smart catch at short cover to raise Indian hopes.

South Africa lost momentum from there on as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals.

Earlier, experts had raised their eyebrows when Dhoni, at the toss announced his decision to leave Mishra out.

Former South African skipper Graeme Smith criticised Mahendera Singh Dhoni's choice by saying: "Indian captain is clearly nervous when it comes to selecting his bowlers."

Former India leg-spinner, Anil Kumble also echoed the same sentiments by saying: "The South Africans were never in control of Mishra in the Kanpur ODI. He deserves to be India's fifth bowler."