India’s Stars and Underperformers in the 2nd ODI Against South Africa

Some players were stars in India’s second ODI against South Africa, while others weren’t able to have much of an effect. Now let’s examine the performances that made the game what it was.

Stars of the Match:

KL Rahul

KL Rahul (Photo Source: Getty Images)

India’s captain, KL Rahul, showcased his class and resilience in Gqeberha. Despite not getting a chance to bat in the first ODI, Rahul made a lasting impression in the second. He started cautiously, facing the challenge posed by the South African bowlers with defensive strokes. As his innings progressed, Rahul displayed more freedom, dispatching loose deliveries and elevating his strike rate to a commendable 87.5.

Rahul’s disappointment stemmed from cutting a delivery straight into the hands of David Miller at point. Despite the dismissal, his innings left a mark, setting a positive tone ahead of the upcoming Test series. The stand-in skipper demonstrated leadership with the bat, providing stability to the Indian innings.

B Sai Sudharsan

B Sai Sudharsan (Photo Source: Getty Images)

While India’s batting struggled, B Sai Sudharsan continued to shine as a promising opener. The young batter exhibited an airtight technique and classy strokes, securing his second successive half-century. Sudharsan faced challenges outside off, but his ability to rotate the strike and play shots within his comfort zone showcased maturity beyond his years.

A highlight of Sudharsan’s innings was a well-executed slog-sweep off Keshav Maharaj, indicating his versatility. With a solid start to his ODI career, Sudharsan seems poised to become a consistent performer for India.

Arshdeep Singh

Arshdeep Singh (Photo Source: Getty Images)

Arshdeep Singh may not have picked up as many wickets as in the series opener, but he delivered a threatening new-ball spell. The left-arm fast bowler consistently troubled the South African batters, posing questions with a disciplined line and length. Arshdeep’s initial five overs for just 14 runs kept the Proteas batsmen on their toes during the powerplay phase.

Despite a quieter middle phase, Arshdeep returned to dismiss Hendricks with a well-directed bouncer, showcasing his value to the Indian bowling attack. India will be eager for him to maintain this form in the upcoming matches.

Underperformers of the Match:

Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson (Photo Source: Getty Images)

Sanju Samson, making a return to the ODI side, failed to justify his selection with a lackluster performance. Coming in with the score at 114/3, Samson had an opportunity to make a significant contribution. However, he seemed out of sorts, struggling to find the right balance between aggression and caution.

Beuran Hendricks easily set up Samson, exploiting his uncertainty and ultimately dismissing him for a disappointing 23-ball 12. Samson will need to find his rhythm quickly to secure a more prominent role in the team.

Tilak Varma

Tilak Varma (Photo Source: Getty Images)

Tilak Varma, another young left-hander in India’s top order, faced a challenging outing in difficult batting conditions. The 21-year-old labored to 10 off 30 balls, displaying a struggle to adjust to the seam movement. Varma’s vulnerability to the short ball was exploited once again, leading to his dismissal.

In the absence of Shreyas Iyer, Varma had an opportunity to impress at No. 3, but he failed to capitalize on the chance. His struggles with the bat were mirrored in his three wicketless overs, reflecting an overall off day for the young player.