KL Rahul redeemed himself in South Africa with the ODI series against the hosts on Thursday. Under his leadership, Team India defeated the Proteas by 78 runs to pocket the 3-match series 2-1. After Sanju Samson’s maiden hundred and a resilient fifty from Tilak Varma, Arshdeep Singh ran through the South African batting line-up and returned 4 for 30 to help the visitors script another series win in the Rainbow nation.
Apart from India’s victory, a light-hearted conversation between Rahul and South African off-spinner Keshav Maharaj, heard over stump mic, has taken social media by storm. The incident happened during the 34th over when the hosts were reduced to 177/6 and Maharaj was taking guard. Meanwhile, the DJ at Boland Park played the ‘Ram Siya Ram’ track from the film ‘Adipurush’.
Listening to it, Rahul told Maharaja, “Keshav Bhai… Every time you come to the crease, they play this song.” The South African cricketer smiled and said, “Yeah.”
India bounce back
Samson’s measured 108 (114 balls) and Tilak Varma’s patient 52 (77 balls), his first fifty in this format, guided India to a competitive 296 for eight. Their 116-run alliance for an enterprising fourth wicket stand was a treat to watch.
South Africa challenged the tourists through a fifty by Tony de Zorzi (81, 87 balls) but were eventually bowled out for 218 in 45.5 overs.
Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh marshalled Indian bowlers with a satisfactory haul of four for 30.
Samson’s maiden ODI hundred
Sanju Samson played a crucial role in India’s win on Thursday. After bagging the Player of the Match award, he said he was proud of his knock as it helped the team secure a series win overseas.
“Proud of it, especially considering the result as well. Have been working hard, not just for the past couple of months so it’s nice,” Sanju said at the post-match presentation.
“This format gives you some extra time to understand the wicket and the bowler’s mindset. Batting at the top of the order gives you those 10-20 extra deliveries.
“The whole country is very proud of how Tilak Verma has stepped up, lot more to expect from him. The seniors have set the standards of Indian cricket and the juniors are coming in and doing the job. It’s not very easy, travelling in between and playing every 2-3 days but they’re getting the job done,” Sanju said at the presentation.
(With Agency Inputs)
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