Malan, de Kock steer South Africa to series win

De Kock gave South Africa a cracking start with a quickfire 78. © AFP
South Africa cruised to a comfortable seven-wicket victory in the second one-dayer, thereby sealing the three-match series against India 2-0. In the process, the hosts recorded the highest run-chase in Paarl. The worry lines in a tricky chase barely showed on South Africa's batsmen, who from the onset were aggressive, focussed and meticulously ahead in the 288-run chase on Friday (January 21). This is the third ODI series loss for India away from home in their last four.

After this chase, rest assured the chatter around the form of Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram abated as the two were among the runs - as were the other batsmen from the top and middle order. De Kock went hard at everything from ball one and his aggression not just put South Africa ahead early, but also gave Jaaneman Malan the time to overcome his struggle and settle in. Once he found his feet, Malan was happy to play second fiddle while de Kock took on the bowlers. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who had little aid from the sluggish wicket was taken for 40 runs in his first four-over spell as the openers scored at over 6 an over in the first 20 overs.

Taking cue from South Africa's spin choke, whose spinners bowled 26 overs in the first innings, and pulled back proceedings and swung the momentum in South Africa's favovur, Ashwin was introduced early. He started off with a maiden and could've even injected some spunk in India's defence had the stumping half-chance been executed right. De Kock was handed a reprieve when on 8, and eventually went on to score 78 off 66 in a 132-run stand with Malan. Both batsmen looked untroubled as India's bowlers failed to make any inroads. India had another half a chance when de Kock swung to leg, only for the ball to brush the glove and fall just over the bails. Rishabh Pant could've caught it too, but couldn't.

De Kock eventually was trapped leg-before after which Malan joined hands with skipper Temba Bavuma for an 80-run stand for the second wicket, putting South Africa in pole position as the opener inched close to a well-deserved century. However, Malan fell just short, knocked over for 91 by Jasprit Bumrah. India struck back with Bavuma's wicket soon after, but Markram and Rassie van der Dussen ensured there were no further hiccups as South Africa romped home with 11 balls to spare.

In stark contrast, India were faced with a familiar middle-order quandary after their innings took a route that the visitors are no strangers to. From being in a position of control, the middle order faltered once again to concede the advantage. The first innings of the game ebbed and flowed as it became increasingly tough to figure which team was ahead at what stage. After Pant and KL Rahul had India in control at 179/2 in 31 overs threatening to post a total over 320, South Africa struck back with quick middle order wickets to peg them back, but once again they had no answer to the counterattack by Shardul Thalur who took India to 287/6 with an unbeaten 40.

South Africa though will be disappointed with their lackadaisical day in the field having dropped as many as four catches. Shikhar Dhawan and Rahul steered the innings, bringing up India's fifty in the ninth over. However, a double strike sent both Dhawan and Virat Kohli - for a duck - forcing India into a period of lull where just 17 runs came in 7 overs as the spinners put the squeeze on. The turning point for India came when both Pant and Rahul found themselves at the same end, but Keshav Maharaj's inability to collect the ball gave the Indian captain a reprieve. Pant seized control thereafter as the momentum switched; the boundaries began flowing and Rahul was playing an able ally as Pant reached a fifty.

Sisanda Magala, who came in for Marco Jansen, started poorly but pulled things back in his second spell. Bavuma resorted to his spinners to try and control the game, a move that worked on the slow wicket. Pant reached forward against Tabraiz Shamsi and played across the line, while Rahul rode his luck to bring up his fifty as the pair added 100 runs in 95 balls. But it was third time lucky for South Africa, who snatched back the momentum after the drinks break.

Rahul was caught off a leading-edge that Rassie van der Dussen picked out at a slightly straight mid-wicket position. Pant was still controlling the innings though. However, he was forced by Shamsi to play on the offside and was caught in the deep by Markram for 85 - his highest ODI score. Shreyas Iyer and Venkatesh Iyer struggled to get out of the spin web. Thakur, however, once again picked up the pieces and began picking out gaps, getting in the boundaries and kept the scoreboard ticking. Along with R Ashwin, Thakur added 48 runs for the seventh wicket off 38 balls, following up from his unbeaten fifty in the opening ODI, while Ashwin remained unbeaten on 25 to give India something to fight with. But in the end, it wasn't enough.

Brief scores: India 287/6 in 50 overs (Rishabh Pant 85, KL Rahul 55, Shardul Thakur 40*; Tabraiz Shamsi 2-57) lost to South Africa 288/3 in 48.1 overs (Jaaneman Malan 91, Quinton de Kock 78, Temba Bavuma 35, Aiden Markram 37*, Rassie van der Dussen 37) by7 wickets.