Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen smashed centuries and shared a record stand of 204 as South Africa ended on 296/4 in the first ODI against India in Paarl.
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South Africa was struggling at 70/3 in 18 overs against India in the first ODI at Boland Park, Paarl on Wednesday. But, Temba Bavuma led from the front with a brilliant century. He was well-supported by Rassie van der Dussen who smashed 129, his highest individual score in ODIs. The partnership of 204 was the best for the fourth wicket for South Africa against India. The Proteas, boosted by this epic partnership, ended on 296/4 after 50 overs.
Van der Dussen and Bavuma created plenty of records. The score of 129 is not only van der Dussen’s highest in ODIs, but it is the third highest at Paarl. Batting at No.5, van der Dussen now has the second-highest score in ODIs against India by a number five player. The highest is Angelo Mathews’ 139* in the 2014 Ranchi ODI. The 204-run stand missed the record for the highest fourth wickets stand in history which is 206, set by Mohammad Yousuf and Shoaib Malik in the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy match in Centurion.
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For KL Rahul, it was a tough assignment as debut ODI captain. He did not use Venkatesh Iyer in the bowling, which might raise a few eyebrows. Shardul Thakur also had a bad day, going in excess of six runs an over for the 11th time in 12 ODIs.
South Africa chose to bat on a sluggish wicket in Paarl, with Bavuma handing Marco Jansen his debut cap. For India, Venkatesh Iyer was handed his debut with KL Rahul going for three pacers and two spinners. Quinton de Kock and Janneman Malan started steadily. But, Bumrah sent back Malan for 6. Bavuma started steadily but India did no favors when they dropped De Kock on 20 off R Ashwin. But, the drop did not prove costly as Ashwin cleaned up De Kock for 27. Aiden Markram was run-out by Venkatesh Iyer for 4 as South Africa stumbled.
But, Bavuma and van der Dussen steadied the ship. Van der Dussen, in particular, showed his intent by reverse sweeping and sweeping Yuzvendra Chahal consistently. Both batsmen milked the strike and kept the scoreboard ticking at consistent times. Van der Dussen was dropped on 13 by Rishabh Pant off Ashwin. When Thakur was hit for a six by van der Dussen, South Africa crossed 100. Bavuma followed suit with a couple of boundaries and notched up his fifty. The platform was set for the onslaught.
The 100-run partnership came up with India conceding too many runs. A poor sense of coordination between the fielders saw van der Dussen bring up fifty with five runs. Bavuma and van der Dussen motored on as the death overs came. The South Africa captain was nearing a hundred while van der Dussen kept finding the boundaries.
Van der Dussen sailed into 80s with a six and a four off Thakur. Bavuma notched up his second ODI century and van der Dussen entered the 90s with Virat Kohli misfielding. Van der Dussen notched up his hundred in grand style and carnage ensued. Although Bavuma was out for 110, Shardul Thakur conceded 19 runs in the final over which yielded a four and a six.
After the knock, van der Dussen explained his method of batting on the Paarl wicket. “Learnings I have taken in the last year or two is if you have your plans and you’ve done the preparation, need to back yourself to execute whether it’s the first ball or the 100th ball. Stuff like the reverse-sweeps and sweeps – In the past I might’ve taken 15-20 balls, but today I decided .. the conditions told me to take it early on. Knew that coming in there would be swing in the morning,” van der Dussen said.
The highest successful chase in Paarl is 248, which South Africa achieved against Sri Lanka in 2011. It is a tall task for KL Rahul’s side already.
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