<\/p>\n
GQEBERHA: The inability of set batters to reach three figures and the loss of eight wickets for 97 runs left India well short of a par score, captain KL Rahul admitted following their eight-wicket One-day Interna\u00adtional loss to South Africa in Gqeberha on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
After being sent in to bat at St George\u2019s Park in the second match of a three games series, India were going well at 114 for two, but were bowled out for 211.<\/p>\n
They failed to capitalise on the platform laid by a fine 62 from opener Sai Sudharsan and 56 from captain KL Rahul, as they head into Thursday\u2019s decider in Paarl with the series level at 1-1.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a hard wicket to bat on, but a couple of us got set. If one of us, including me, could have gone on to get a hundred we could have controlled the innings and got 50-60 runs extra, which could have made a big difference,\u201d Rahul said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we were batting we thought 240-250 would be a good total. That is what we were hoping for but we lost wickets at crucial intervals.\u201d <\/p>\n
Rahul has full faith in his batters ahead of the series decider.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe trust the players to come up with their own game plan. Games like this will help them learn and get better as a cricketer.\u201d<\/p>\n
South African opener Reeza Hendricks (52) was dropped at slip early in the home sides innings.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the first 10 overs we beat the edge quite a lot. We had a chance with a catch that we missed. That might have made a difference. But we leave that here at the ground today and focus on the next game,\u201d Rahul said.<\/p>\n
South Africa were outplayed in the first game of the series as they lost by eight wickets but were vastly improved in Gqeberha.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a much better overall performance,\u201d captain Aiden Markram said. \u201cIt was going around when the openers went out to bat. They put up a 100-run partnership and set up the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Left-handed opener Tony de Zorzi, 26, scored an unbeaten 119 in 122 balls to win the game in his fourth ODI.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was huge for him,\u201d Markram said. \u201cTo put in a performance like that, to remain not out at the end and to remember how the crowd was to him, we were pretty much in awe.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was fantastic to watch. Hopefully the first of many for him. The dressing room enjoyed it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2023<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" GQEBERHA: The inability of set batters to reach three figures and the loss of eight wickets for 97 runs left India well short of a par score, captain KL Rahul admitted following their eight-wicket One-day Interna\u00adtional loss to South Africa in Gqeberha on Tuesday. 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