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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 40 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 first, the tourists star💧ted well 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 partnered💛 to ta🥃ke their 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 the sixth wicket and took India close before the visitors came back and 𝓀picked up three wickets in quick success🉐ion.
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 6🍌3 balls with the help꧒ 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 r🐬egular intervals gave the the early momentum but India fought back. A 93-run sixth-wicket stand thre𓄧atened 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, you deserve the applause!!
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif)
The⛎y came, they fought hard and took a 1⃣-0⃣ lead with a 9️⃣-run win in the 1st Mastercard ODI!
Raise your 🙋🙋𝄹 if you to bounce back in the next encoꦬunter.
— 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)
//twitter.com/FarzไiCricketer/status/1578071678760148992
Good fight from the boys, next time we’ll make it to t♋he other side! 💪 🇮🇳❤️
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL)
Sanju Samson was exceptional tonight in a tough run chase. Surely deserves more opportunities. Can b♌at at any position & has all the shots
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang)
Came in at 51/4. Finished with 86* ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚoff 63. Gave the nation hope.
Proud of you, Sanju Samson. 💗🇮🇳
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals)
