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South Africa started off the ODI series against India in grand style, registering a thrilling win in the opening ODI, which was reduced to 40ꦜ overs per side💖 due to rain at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Thursday.
After being asked to bat 𝓀first, the tourists started ꦦwell but were troubled eventually by Indian bowlers losing four wickets for 110 in 22.2 overs.
However, David Miller and Heinrich Klassen took charge and slammed unbeaten half-centuries to steady the ship. Miller (75 not out off 63 balls) and Klassen (74 not out off 65 balls) formed a remarkable stand of 139 runs off 106 balls to take the team’s total to 249/4 in 40 overs.
In response, the hosts were in a spot of bother, losing four wickets for just 51 in 17.4 overs. Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson then p🧔artnered to take th♔eir side out of the hot waters.
Iyer smashed a comeback half-century to put India in control, scoring 50 off 37 balls before Lungi Ngidi got rid of him. Samson, however, kept the scoreboard ticking and formed another vital stand with Shardul Thakur.
The duo added 93 runs for th꧋e siꦿxth wicket and took India close before the visitors came back and picked up three wickets in quick succession.
The contest went down to the wire, and the equation reached India needing 30 runs in the final over. Samson tried his best but could only manage to score 20 as India fell nine runs short. The wicketkeeper-batter remained unbeaten at 86 off 63 balls with 𓆉the he🔜lp of nine fours and three sixes.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Things went right down to the wire but it's South Africa who win the first ODI. will look to bounce back in the second ODI. 👍
Scorecard ▶️
— BCCI (@BCCI)
🚨 RESULT | SOUTH AFRICA WIN BY 9 RUNS
Wickets at regular intervals gave the the earಞly momentum but India fought back. A 93-run sixth-wicket stand threatened to steal the win but our bowlers held their nerve to claim the victory
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA)
Top class from sanju Samson, very aggressive, very impressive, y𒐪ou deserve the applause!!
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif)
They came, they fought hard ꩲand took a 1⃣-0⃣ lead with a 9️⃣-run win in the 1st Mastercard ODI!
Raise your 🙋🙋 if you 🌄 to bounce bac﷽k in the next encounter.
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia)
Sanju Samson in ODI format:
46(46)
12(18)
54(51)
6*(7)
43*(39)
15(13)
86*(63)— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
A defeat in the series opener 😔
Fifties from Samson and Shreyas, and a late cameo from Shardul wasn't enough to take us over the line.
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals)
//twitt𒆙er.com/FarziCricketer/status/1578071678760148992
Good fight from the boy🎐s, next time ♕we’ll make it to the other side! 💪 🇮🇳❤️
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL)
Sanju Samson was exceptional tonight in a tough run chase. Surely deserves more opportunities. Can bat a𝓰t any position & has all th💙e shots
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang)
Came in at 51/4. Finished with 86*꧒ off 63. Gav𝄹e the nation hope.
Proud of you, Sanju Samson. 💗🇮🇳
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals)
