By Neil Manthorp.
Nandre Burger led an excellent bowling performance from South Africa as they dismissed India for a modest total of 211 in just 46.2 overs after choosing to bowl first in the second one-day international at St.George’s Park in Gqeberha on Tuesday.
The left-arm fast bowler claimed an outstanding 3-30 from his 10 overs and was well supported by all of the other bowlers with left arm spinner Keshav Maharaj claiming two late wickets for a return of 2-51.
Another left arm seamer, Beuran Hendricks, finished with 2-34 after receiving a late call-up to the squad in place of the injured Ottniel Baartman and only flying to Gqeberha on the morning of the match.
Burger struck the first blow with the second ball of the innings trapping Ruturaj Gaikwad (4) lbw before persuading a subdued Tilak Varma (10) to pull a short ball to fine leg where Hendricks held a tumbling catch.
Opener Sai Sudharsan reached a composed 62 from 83 balls (7×4, 1×6) before a genuinely quick delivery from Lizaad Williams (1-49) caught a top edge and was caught at the second attempt by ‘keeper Heinrich Klaasen.
Burger claimed the key wicket of captain KL Rahul when he failed to keep a cut shot on the ground and was caught low down at backward point by David Miller.
Sanju Samson (12) was bowled by Hendricks and the last of the specialist batsmen, Rinku Singh, was smartly stumped by Klaasen having been drawn out of his crease by the craft of Maharaj.
When India appeared content just to bat through their full 50 overs, captain Aiden Markram (1-28) cleverly introduced his off-breaks – with a little less pace than usual – and Axar Patel (7) was immediately guilty of driving straight to long off where substitute fielder Kayle Verreynne held a simple catch.
India lead the three-match series 1-0 after a resounding, eight-wicket victory in the first match at the Wanderers on Sunday where they bowled the home side out for just 116.
The final match will be played at Boland Park in Paarl on Thursday.
South Africa: Tony de Zorzi, Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram (captain), Heinrich Klaasen (wkt), David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Nandre Burger, Lizaad Williams, Beuran Hendricks
India: KL Rahul (captain/wkt), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar.