India vs South Africa Photos

MS Dhoni, Axar Patel Boost India to Thrilling Series-Levelling Win in Second ODI

October 14, 2015 21:56

India levelled the series in style thanks to a magnificent unbeaten 92 by skipper MS Dhoni and a haul of 3/39 by Axar Patel.

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Heading into the second ODI, India were under immense pressure, having lost the first ODI in Kanpur. India won the toss and chose to bat but they got off to a bad start when Kagiso Rabada got rid off Rohit Sharma, the centurion from the first match, for just three runs. (All pictures are from BCCI and AFP)
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Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane started off well and they shared a 56-run stand for the second wicket. However, after a scratchy start, Dhawan fell tamely to Morne Morkel for 23 and that stalled India's progress.
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Rahane held firm and he smashed his 12th ODI fifty as he continued his consistent run in this format. India were making decent progress but his dismissal sparked a collapse.
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Virat Kohli, who has also been struggling for runs, was involved in a horrible mix-up with Rahane with both batsmen stranded at the same end. As he was run-out, Kohli let out his fury on Rahane and he was livid with himself as he walked back to the pavilion.
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India lost four wickets for 42 runs during the middle stages with the lower-middle order failing to contribute. Virat Kohli was in the receiving end of a horrible mix-up while Rahane was bowled round his legs, Suresh Raina's poor form continued as he was dismissed for 0 while Axar Patel was trapped LBW for 0.
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The South African bowlers were rushing through their overs and they gave India no room to work with. It looked like India would not be able to last the full 50 overs. They needed something special. It was the turn of the Indian skipper to respond and play a knock that changed the course of the match.
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Dhoni started off cautiously and he was slowly getting into his groove. In the 39th over, he got going by smashing a four and a six off JP Duminy and India were staging a fightback.
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Dhoni, who was under fire heading into this ODI due to his poor form, silenced his detractors in the best way possible by smashing his 60th ODI fifty. Batting with the tail, he farmed the strike beautifully and ensured India lasted the distance.
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Thanks to Dhoni's unbeaten 92 off 86 balls, India not only lasted the full fifty overs but they managed to put on a fighting total for their bowlers on this sluggish pitch. India finished with 247/9 and they had given themselves a chance in this match.
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Chasing 248 to go 2-0 up, South Africa got off to a flying start as Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock started positively. However, Axar Patel, whose inclusion in the squad had raised a few eyebrows, struck when he had Amla stumped for 17.
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Harbhajan Singh also chipped in with the vital wicket of Quinton de Kock when he lofted a flighted delivery straight to long off. Harbhajan was bowling with a lot of flight and was getting a fair amount of turn on this wicket.
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With the dismissal of de Kock, South Africa were stuttering but they were boosted by an 82-run stand for the fourth wicket between Faf du Plessis and JP Duminy. Both batsmen were playing the spinners comfortably and South Africa were in cruise control.
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Axar Patel once again broke the partnership when he had Duminy trapped LBW for 36 off 46 balls. The batsman missed the sweep and India were once again given a chance in this match.
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South Africa's hopes rested on AB de Villiers and Farhaan Behardien. However, de Villiers fell to a poor shot and Virat Kohli took a splendid catch to send the South African skipper back for 19. The advantage was firmly with India.
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Behardien was the only hope for South Africa but he fell to Harbhajan for 18. However, it was a poor decision from umpire Vineet Kulkarni as there was no bat or glove involved and South Africa were staring down the barrel.
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Despite some fight from Rabada and Tahir, Bhuvneshwar Kumar took the final two wickets and India won a thrilling match by 22 runs to level the series 1-1. MS Dhoni's unbeaten 92 helped him win the Man of the Match.

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