1st ODI: South Africa vs India 2015 - As it happened...

Over 50 | Score 298/7

Rabada kept his cool in the final over to help South Africa seal the win. The young pacer picked up two wickets, that of Dhoni and Binny to seal India's fate.

S Binny c Amla b Rabada 2 (5b)

MS Dhoni c & b Rabada 31 (30b)

MSD pulls off an ABD. Against Dale Steyn. 1st @Paytm ODI #INDvsSA https://t.co/eCTJCqZj0q

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 11, 2015

Over 49 | Score 293/5

Dhoni shuffles across the crease to scoop the ball for a four to the fine leg boundary from outside the off stump. Innovation under pressure from MSD.

 

Over 48 | Score 282/5 

Dhoni showed why he is so highly rated in such situations. The skipper picked up a double on three occasions. Excellent running between the wickets as well.

Over 47 | Score 273/5

Double strike from Tahir has brought South Africa right back into this match. The responsibility of guiding India now rests on the shoulders of Dhoni.

Raina c Duminy b Imran Tahir 3 (3b)

R Sharma c & b Imran Tahir 150 (133b)

Over 46 | Score 269/3 

Steyn's short of a length ball was pulled over square leg for a six. That's the fifty run partnership between Rohit and Dhoni.

 

 

Over 45 | Score 258/3 

Morkel's length ball outside off stump is flicked over the square leg boundary for a six by Rohit. This is a man at the peak of his powers.

Over 44 | Score 249/3​

Rabada's short ball was pulled to the deep backward square leg boundary for a four by Rohit.

Over 40 | Score 214/3

Steyn's ball was a half-volley on the pads and Kohli flicked it to Morne Morkel at short fine leg. Another soft dismissal. South Africa are right back in it.

V Kohli c Morkel b Steyn 11 (18b)

Over 39 | Score 209/2

Another excellent over from the South Africans. Tahir concedes just three off it. 95 runs required from 11 overs.

Over 38 | Score 206/2

Steyn followed up a good over from Tahir with another tight one, conceding just 3 runs.

.@ImRo45 is on a roll. Brings up his eighth ODI century in style. 1st @Paytm ODI #INDvsSA https://t.co/uBddwhzV2R

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 11, 2015

Over 36 | Score 201/2 

Rohit got to his hundred by flicking Behardien's a full ball flat over midwicket's head for a boundary. This has been a superb knock from the opener. He has been in complete command right from the first ball.

 

Over 35 | Score 194/2 

De Villiers brought Morkel back into the attack immediately after Rahane's dismissal. Good tactic from the SA captain to build pressure on the new batsman Kohli.

Over 34 | Score 192/2

Rahane played an ordinary delivery from Behardien straight to Miller at extra cover. After having done so well, the right-hander will be gutted with that shot. Kohli is the new man in.

A Rahane c Miller b Behardien 60 (82b)

Over 32 | Score 186/1

Behardien's juicy half-volley outside off stump was driven to the cover boundary by Rahane to pick up four runs. Indians are running away with this game.

Over 31 | Score 179/1

Morkel was introduced into the attack. AB de Villiers and South Africa are in desperate search of a wicket. No luck in this over. 

Over 30 | Score 176/1

Rohit played two glorious shots off Tahir on the last two balls of the over. Both identical shots and in the same area but with different results - a boundary and a six.

In the same over, Rahane got to his fifty with a single. Fine knock from the Mumbai lad.

Over 29 | Score 162/1

Rohit played the most delightful sweep shot off Duminy to hit the ball over deep square leg for a six. Brilliant execution from the right-hander.

Over 28 | Score 150/1

Tahir continued his effort, bowling yet another tight over. Only three runs came in that over.

Over 27 | Score 147/1

Behardien's full and wide ball was guided past short third man by Rahane. With that he brought up the 100-run partnership between the two Mumbai batsmen.

 

Over 26 | Score 140/1

Steyn continued his good work in his second place. He bowled another over without conceding a boundary. Five came off it.

Over 25 | Score 135/1

Behardien's short ball outside off was pulled by Rahane to the wide long on boundary for a four. Much-needed boundary for India.

Over 24 | Score 130/1

Another solid over from Steyn. What a second spell this has been from the pacer. Only 3 off it.

R Ashwin has suffered a side strain injury. Harbhajan Singh has been added to India's squad for Paytm ODI series against SA.

Over 22 | Score 120/1

Dale Steyn was brought back into the attack. The pacer bowled a miserly over, conceding just one run. The South Africans have bowled well in the last few overs, keeping things extremely tight.

Over 21 | Score 119/1 

Imran Tahir was economical in his third over, giving away just  three runs.

A crisp square-cut to get to 50, a lovely flick to celebrate it. @ImRo45 1st @Paytm ODI #INDvsSA https://t.co/qQ26arlnzM

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 11, 2015

Over 20 | Score 116/1

Morkel came back strongly in the 20th over conceding only 3 runs.

Over 18 | Score 108/1

Rohit got to his fifty by opening the face of his bat to guide Morkel's ball over backward point. He flicked the very next ball in the gap between midwicket and mid-on for another four.

 

Over 17 | Score 99/1

Imran Tahir was introduced into the attack. Rohit rocked on to the back foot and cut the ball past the covers for a four.

Over 16 | Score 94/1

Morkel was brought back into the attack. His third over cost South Africa just 4 runs. 

Players then took a drinks break.

Over 15 | Score 90/1

Duminy strayed down leg side and the ball missed Rahane's bat and de Kock's gloves. Five wides credited to India's total.

Over 14 | Score 80/1

Excellent over from Rabada. The pacer managed to stem the flow of runs in the over. Only 2 came off it.

Over 13| Score 78/1 

Rohit got to the pitch of ball and planted it over short long-on boundary for a six. The right-hander appears to be in fine form.

Over 10 | Score 59/1

Rohit showed why he is so highly rated. The right-hander played two glorious strokes of Morkel to score back-to-back fours.

Over 8 | Score 49/1

Rahane played a cracking drive to Rabada's ball, which bounced over the cover fielder and reached the fence.

 

Over 8 | Score 43/1

Another bowling change saw Morne Morkel being introduced into the attack. The pacer delivery the big wicket of Dhawan for his skipper. The left-hander was trapped LBW.

Dhawan lbw b Morkel 23 (28b)

Over 7 | Score 42/0

Behardien was introduced into the attack. Rohit hit him for two fours in the very first over.

Over 6 | Score 32/0​

Rabada's short ball was pulled the ball through square leg for another boundary.
 

 

Over 5 | Score 26/0

Dhawan continued to build pressure on the opposition bowlers. The left-hander picked up two boundaries in the 5th over.

Over 4 | Score 18/0

Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada opened the South African bowling attack. Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma got India off to a positive start. 

Report

Captain AB de Villers completed a spectacular century with a six off the final ball of the innings to lead South Africa to a record 303 for five in the opening cricket One-day International against India. 

A packed stadium erupted when de Villiers (104 not out off 73 balls) smacked the ball over long-on boundary to bring his 21st ODI hundred, also ensuring that South Africa became the first to score 300 at the Green Park Stadium here.

With premier bowler Ravichandran Ashwin not finishing his quota of 10 overs, Indian pacers leaked heavy runs in the death, allowing South Africa to amass 109 off the last 10 overs.

The final over of the innings bowled by Umesh Yadav went for 21 runs as de Villiers ended the innings in a dramatic fashion. Faf du Plessis also scored a handy 62 in the middle overs.

The visitors made a sedate start to their innings after winning the toss.

Quinton de Kock (29) and Hashim Amla were solid in their approach and waited for the odd loose ball offered by pace duo of Umesh and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

De Kock, playing his first competitive game of the tour, was the aggressor in the brief opening stand. Umesh, returning to action, gave the southpaw a few easy ones on the pads and he made full use of it. His first ball was a half volley on the leg stump and de Kock flicked it past midwicket with ease.

The left-hander struck five boundaries, four of which came though the leg side. While Amla was quiet at the other end, de Kock looked threatening.

With the new ball bowlers not providing him the breakthrough, India captain MS Dhoni went to his go-to-man Ashwin. And he took just four balls to strike, having the dangerous de Kock caught at first slip with a loopy off- spinner, leaving South Africa at 48 for one by the end of 10 overs.

Thereafter, South Africa chugged along with another handy stand of 59 runs between Amla and du Plessis as the Indians started bowling with more discipline.

The Indian skipper squeezed in as many as seven overs from part-timer Suresh Raina (0/37), who did well to keep things tight in his first outing with the ball on home ground.

While du Plessis scored at a decent pace, Amla was finding it tough to get a move on. Soon after, Amit Mishra was brought back into the attack and the leg-spinner prised out the second wicket for India by getting through the stumps of Amla with a faster one. He labored to 37 off 59 balls.

Amla's fall brought captain de Villiers out in the middle and that surprisingly attracted a huge roar from a sellout crowd. Du Plessis was going strong at the other end and he completed his 50 by hitting the first six of the match with a heave over deep midwicket.

However, du Plesis could not go on to score a big one as Umesh, who was wayward in his opening four-over spell, struck on the very first ball of his second burst trapping the right -hander in front.

At 152 for three in 33.1 overs and de Villiers and David Miller batting, South Africa still had 300 well within their reach.

De Villiers eventually got into his big hitting zone after the 40th over with the crowd cheering every one of his lusty blows.

He hammered military medium Stuary Binny for two sixes and as many fours in an over that leaked 21 runs and gave the innings a much need push.

The other power hitter Miller (13) and in-form JP Dumniy (15) departed cheaply but the captain ensured his team got to a record total on a pitch that was getting slower and slower.

The innings also saw Ashwin getting injured while diving off his own bowling in the 32nd over. He went off the field for while and that led to the premier strike bowler not being able to complete his full quota of overs.

Dhoni too took a gamble by using faster bowlers more in the death overs, letting Ashwin end with only 4.4 overs.

Over 50 | Score 303/5

AB got to his hundred with a six off the last ball of the innings. He has powered South Africa to 303 here. The Indian batsmen have a mountain to climb in Kanpur.

Over 49 | Score 282/9

Another huge over for SA. AB went on the rampage hitting two 6s and a 4 off Bhuvi. Indian bowlers are all over the place.

Over 48 | Score 263/5

Yadav came under attack from Behardien and AB in that over. Three fours were scored by the duo. South Africans are headed for a big score.

Over 47 | Score 250/5

Bhuvi's offered width outside the off stump to Behardien and was deservedly punished. The right-hander played the shot in air and picked up a four in the third man region.

Over 46 | Score 241/5

Duminy will be disappointed with himself after getting dismissed by a poor delivery from Umesh. The left-hander slashed at a wide delivery from the pacer and edge it straight to the keeper. Behardien  is the new man in.

JP Duminy c Dhoni b Yadav 15 (17b)

Over 45 | Score 238/5

AB took Binny to the cleaners in the 45th over. The right-hander scored two 4s and a 6 off the last three balls of that over. 21 runs came off Binny's 8th. 

Over 44 | Score 217/4

Another good over from Bhuvi. Just four runs came off it.

Over 43 | Score 213/4

Ashwin was brought back into the attack. Four runs came off that over. The off-spinner is key to India restricting South Africa here.

Over 42 | Score 209/4

De Villiers, got to his fifty by lofting the Bhuvi's ball towards long off. The crowd give him a huge round of applause. They are watching a very special player here. He capped off the over with a glance down the fine leg boundary for a four.

Over 41 | Score 200/4

Mishra foxed Miller to bag his second wicket of the match. The leg-spinner's ball went through the gap between bat and the left-hander's body. Skipper Dhoni completed a quick stumping. JP Duminy is the new man in.

D Miller st Dhoni b Mishra 13 (22b)

Over 40 | Score 194/3

Bhuvi was brought back into the attack. Five runs came off his 6th over.

The 32,000 strong crowd are enjoying the game with enthusiasm, cheering both the teams. That is the spirit of the game

— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) October 11, 2015

Over 39 | Score 189/3

AB picked up Binny's slower delivery and clobbered it over the midwicket boundary for a six. Tremendous striking from the right-hander.

 

Over 38 | Score 179/3

AB stroked the ball to the cover boundary to pick up two runs off Umesh's last ball.

Over 37 | Score 175/3

Binny was brought back into the attack by Dhoni, The partnership between AB and Miller reached 23 after right runs came off that over.

 

Over 36 | Score 167/3

Yadav gave away just 3 runs in his 6th over. Despite not being at his best in the 1st spell, the pacer has made a strong comeback.

Over 35 | Score 164/3

AB danced down the track clobbered Raina's ball over deep midwicket boundary for a six. His first of the innings.

Over 34 | Score 154/3

Dhoni's bowling change worked. Umesh was brought back into the attack and he dismissed the dangerous Du Plessis. The right-hander was trapped LBW, as he played the wrong line and the ball's sharp movement inward did him in.

F du Plessis lbw b Yadav 62 (77b)

Over 33 | Score 152/2

ABdV and du Plessis kept the scoreboard ticking in Mishra's over. Five runs came off it.

Over 32 | Score 147/2

Ashwin continued from where he left off in the previous over, bowling a tidy over. However he injured himself with a dive and had to go off the field. Kohli completed the over by bowling the two remaining balls.

Over 31 | Score 143/2

Mishra has done a fair job for his skipper. His 8th over saw four runs came off it. But it must be mentioned that SA have now set up a solid platform for a late assault.

Over 30 | Score 139/2

Excellent over from Ashwin that, conceding just a single. The off-spinner is clearly the best spinner on current form in the world at the moment.

Over 29 | Score 138/2

Spin from both ends as Mishra continued from the other hand. Four singles were taken off his 7th over.

Over 28 | Score 134/2

With AB de Villiers at the crease, Dhoni brought Ashwin on. The right-hander played the ball late towards third man to pick up three runs.

Over 27 | Score 129/2

Du Plessis got to his fifty with a six off Raina over the deep midwicket boundary.

 

Over 26 | Score 122/6

Du Plessis was beaten by Mishra's leg break. But the ball took the outside edge and went to the fence between the keeper and first slip.​

Over 25 | Score 113/2

Du Plessis pierced Raina's short and wide ball through the cover boundary with a solid punch to pick up a boundary.

 

Mishra weaves his magic to get Amla. 1st @Paytm ODI #IndvsSA https://t.co/og1teJlhWi

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 11, 2015

Over 24 | Score 107/2

Mishra's faster delivery beat Amla's bat and hit the stumps after deflecting off his pads. Huge breakthrough for India as the 59-run partnership ended.

H Amla b Mishra 37 (59b)

Over 23 | Score 104/1

Raina has done a tremendous job for Dhoni, conceding only 14 runs in his four overs. How long he persists with Raina is the key now.

Over 22 | Score 101/2

Mishra conceded two runs in the 22nd over, as South Africa crossed the 100-run mark.

Over 21 | Score 99/1

Dhoni persisted with Raina. South Africa inch towards the 100-run mark, as four runs came off that over.

Over 20 | Score 95/1

Amla and du Plessis have adopted a risk-free approach in these middle overs. Five runs came off Binny's fifth.

Over 19 | Score 90/1

Amla and Du Plessis scored six runs off Raina's second over without taking any risks and playing sensible cricket.

Over 18 | Score 84/1

Another good over from Binny. Just two runs came from it.

Over 17 | Score 82/1

Suresh Raina was introduced into the attack. The part-timer's first over was tidy, as just three runs came off it. Umpires signal drinks.

Over 16 | Score 79/1

Binny came back strongly after coming under attack in the previous over. Only four singles came off the 16th over.

Over 15 | Score 75/1

Amla beat the fielder at backward point with a late cut off a short and wide delivery from Mishra. The South Africans have clearly stepped up their run rate in the last couple of overs.
 

Over 14 | Score 68/1

Faf du Plessis put pressure on Binny in his second over, scoring two boundaries. The right-hander looks in great touch today.

Over 13 | Score 56/1

Du Plesiss got down low on one knee and swept Mishra's ball to deep square leg boundary for a four.
 

Over 12 | Score 50/1

Another bowling change from Dhoni, as Binny came on to bowl. The pacer kept things tight, conceding just one run. After de Kock's dismissal, the Indian have pulled back things nicely.

Over 11 | Score 49/1

Second bowling change of the day saw Amit Mishra being introduced into the attack. The leg-spinner conceded just one run off it. Clearly, spinners will be India's best bet to restrict the South African batsmen today.

Over 10 | Score 45/1

Bhuvi bowled a fine over after the visitor's lost their first wicket to sustain the pressure.

Over 9 | Score 45/1

First bowling change of the day delivered de Kock's wicket for Dhoni. Ashwin, playing his 100th ODI, produced a gem to send the left-hander back into the hut. The off-spinner's ball pitched on middle and spun sharply, taking an outside edge of de Kock's bat. Raina completed a smart catch at first slip. Faf du Plessis is the new man in for South Africa.

Q de Kock c Raina b Ashwin 29 (33b)

Over 8 | Score 44/0

De Kock continued his attack on Umesh, scoring two fours in the pacer's 4th over. The left-hander has already hit 5 boundaries in this innings.

Over 7 | Score 34/0

Like in the previous over of Umesh, Bhuvi to concedes a boundary off his last ball after bowling a tidy over. The pacer's short of a length and wide outside off stump was cut through point by Amla in delightful fashion.

Over 6 | Score 29/0

After bowling a tight over, Umesh's last ball, short and wide outside off stump, was punched by Amla through cover point for a boundary.

Over 5 | Score 23/0

De Kock went after Bhuvi in that over. The left-hander picked up two boundaries, one on the off and another on the on-side with majestic strokes.

Over 4 | Score 15/0

Umesh conceded just 3 runs in his 2nd over. However, the South African openers are finding it a lot easier to score off him than Bhuvi.

Over 3 | Score 12/0

Bhuvi kept things tight in his second over, as he conceded just a single off his last delivery.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is playing his 100th ODI for India today.

Congratulations to R Ashwin, who is playing his 100th ODI for India. #IndvsSA pic.twitter.com/ATTk4GSC84

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 11, 2015

 

Over 2 | Score 11/0

Umesh Yadav started off with a half-volley on leg stump, which was easily dispatched by de Kock with an elegant flick to the midwicket boundary.

Over 1 | Score 5/0

Bhuvi bowled the 1st over for India. Typically, he got a bit of movement off the pitch, which was negotiated by the South African openers. Both Amla and de Kock got off the mark, which will have relieved some pressure off them.

Good luck Team India for the one day series. I am sure you will play to your potential and win the series. #IndvsSA

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) October 11, 2015

Team news

SOUTH AFRICA XI: H Amla, Q de Kock, F du Plessis, AB de Villiers, D Miller, JP Duminy, F Behardien, D Steyn, K Rabada, M Morkel, I Tahir

​INDIA XI: S Dhawan, RG Sharma, V Kohli, A Rahane, S Raina, MS Dhoni, S Binny, R Ashwin, A Mishra, B Kumar, U Yadav

AB de Villiers won the toss and he opted to bat first. Interestingly, MS Dhoni said he was looking to bowl first on this Kanpur wicket.