Credit to India for pulling it off: AB de Villiers

Indore: South Africa skipper AB de Villiers on Wednesday credited India for managing a victory after scoring a modest total in the second One-Day International (ODI) at the Holkar Cricket Stadium here on Wednesday.

India defeated the visitors by 22 runs to level the five-match ODI series 1-1. Mahendra Singh Dhoni's defiant 92 not out and Ajinkya Rahane's 51 took India to 247/9 in 50 overs. During the chase, South Africa kept losing wickets regularly and were bowled out for 225 in 43.4 overs.

“They (India) pulled it off across the line, credit to India. The target was manageable and it was a poor batting performance from us. We couldn't extend it after the opening partnership,” de Villiers said at the post-match presentation ceremony here.

For India, medium pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar and left-arm spinner Axar Patel took three wickets each, while off-spinner Harbhajan Singh claimed two wickets
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“You have to stay positive no matter what total you are chasing, we couldn't execute well. It was a very good performance from our bowlers and we would have loved to chase something like 200," the skipper said.

The 31-year-old played down his back injury. "There is nothing too serious about my back, just pulled my lower back a bit and should be fit for the next match,” the right-handed batsman said.