KANPUR // A brilliant 150 off 133 balls from Rohit Sharma was in vain as South Africa defeated India by five runs in the first one-day international yesterday.
In a high-scoring thriller helped by short boundaries at the packed Green Park stadium, India made a spirited chase of the Proteas’ 303 for five before being stopped just short on 298 for seven.
Sharma nearly upstaged South African captain AB de Villiers’ 104 off 73 balls before the tourists’ bowlers fought back. Leg-spinner Imran Tahir removed Sharma and Suresh Raina in the space of five deliveries in the 47th over, before 20-year-old fast bowler Kagiso Rabada nailed his side’s victory in the final over.
With India needing 11 runs off six balls, Rabada conceded just five runs and claimed two wickets, including the important one of captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for 31, to dash India’s hopes.
“It was an amazing game of cricket,” said a visibly tired and relieved de Villiers, who was named man of the match. “It is close games like these that bring the fans in.
“The momentum turned around several times, but I thought Tahir turned the game on its head. Rabada, of course, proved to be a handful with his pace. He’s got a bright future.”
Sharma put on 149 for the second wicket with Mumbai teammate Ajinkya Rahane (60) after opener Shikhar Dhawan was leg-before to Morne Morkel for 23 in the eighth over. Sharma stroked 13 boundaries and six sixes before he offered a tame return catch to Tahir.
India were dealt a blow when frontline spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, playing his 100th one-dayer, suffered a side strain while bowling his fourth over and left the field.
Ashwin returned to bowl only one more over before going off again. Fellow off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has been drafted into the squad as a precaution.
A disappointed Dhoni blamed his bowlers leaking runs in the final overs but was all praise for Rohit. “The partnership between Rohit and Rahane was superb. This was a fantastic innings from Rohit. It wasn’t an easy wicket to bat on but he made it look so easy.”
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