India destroyed by South Africa pace barrage

MS Dhoni admitted team was outplayed as South Africa’s fast bowlers struck early to set up comprehensive 135-run win.

DURBAN: India captain MS Dhoni admitted his team was outplayed as South Africa’s fast bowlers struck early to set up a comprehensive 135-run win in the first One-Day International (ODI) at Kingsmead.

Chasing 290 to win the series-opener, India’s hopes were effectively ended when they were reduced to 43 for four in the 11th over.

Despite a half- century by Virat Kohli they were bowled out for 154.

“We were completely outplayed,” said Dhoni.

“We are a side that banks on a good start and having wickets in hand to chase eight or nine runs an over. It never happened.”

Dhoni said the one-day specialists in his team had been restricted in their practice opportunities because of rain.

“As we go into the series we will get acclimatised more and hopefully make the series more interesting.”

Smith hails his side’s performance

South Africa captain Graeme Smith, meanwhile, hailed ‘a pretty complete’ performance in the opening match of a five-game series, with particular praise for the bowlers.

“We were superb with the ball,” said Smith.

Dale Steyn dismissed Murali Vijay in the first over and left-arm bowler and man-of-the-match Lonwabo Tsotsobe picked up the key wicket of Sachin Tendulkar.

Morne Morkel, who came on as first change, took two wickets in one over as the Indian batsmen failed to come to terms with the pace and bounce of a Kingsmead pitch with a reputation for being more lively in the second innings of day-night games.

Tsotsobe went on to claim four for 31, while fellow pacemen Steyn and Morkel took two each and left-arm fast-bowler Wayne Parnell took one.

Swift Amla sets tone for big total

Hashim Amla got the South African innings off to a fast start, scoring 50 off 36 balls with eight fours.

But the home side’s total of 289 for nine was built around a 131-run fourth wicket partnership between AB de Villiers and JP Duminy.

De Villiers hit 76 off 69 balls, while Duminy scored 73 off 89 deliveries. While the two batsmen were together, South Africa looked on target for a total well in excess of the 289 that they eventually managed.

However,  both batsmen fell to the part-time off-spin of Rohit Sharma instead of cashing in towards the end of the innings but still managed enough for a win.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 14^th, 2011.