Skipper laments batting failure in India's 134-run loss to South Africa in second ODI
Batting prodigy Quinton de Kock hit his second successive century to set up a convincing, series-clinching 134-run win for South Africa in the second one-day international against India at Kingsmead yesterday.
De Kock made 106 in a South African total of 280 for six in a match reduced to 49 overs a side after a late start because of a wet outfield.
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Suresh Raina bats during the second ODI against South Africa in Durban yesterday. Pic/AFP
India lost four early wickets against the South African fast bowlers and limped to 146 all out, enabling South Africa to clinch the three-match series with a game to spare.
Lonwabo Tsotsobe took four for 25 and Dale Steyn three for 17 as India, the world's top-ranked one-day team, were humiliated for the second time in four days.
They were beaten by 141 runs in the first match in Johannesburg on Thursday.
Hashim Amla also hit a century for South Africa, making exactly 100. De Kock and Amla put on 194 for the first wicket to follow up their opening stand of 152 in the first international in Johannesburg on Thursday.
On both occasions, South Africa were sent in by Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. "The bowlers did well," said Dhoni. "They learnt quite a bit from the last game. Batting-wise, the guys played quite a few shots. The shot selection wasn't the problem, the execution wasn't there."
Dhoni acknowledged the strength of the South African fast b
owlers. "Their pace bowling attack are very accurate. They bowl in the same areas for consistent periods of time."
It was the third century in 15 one-day internationals for the left-handed De Kock, who turns 21 on December 17. He hit nine fours in a 118-ball innings.
His successful partnerships with Amla at the top of the order have put the one-day international career of Test captain Graeme Smith in doubt.
Unlike in the first match, where there was a torrent of 206 runs in the last 20 overs, with South Africa finishing on 358 for four, India fought back after breaking the opening stand with the first ball of the 36th over, the third of the batting power play.
On a slower pitch than that used at the Wanderers, six wickets fell in the last 14 overs and produced 86 runs, including 20 in the last over.
India got off to a bad start when Shikhar Dhawan slapped Steyn to backward point and was out without scoring.
Virat Kohli survived some hostile short-pitched bowling from Steyn before being caught behind off Tsotsobe, also without scoring.
Ajinkya Rahane was caught behind off Morne Morkel for eight and India crashed to 34 for four when Rohit Sharma (19) pulled Tsotsobe powerfully and Amla held a superb reflex overhead catch at short midwicket.
Black armbands
Both teams wore black armbands and the players and crowd stood for a minute's silence in memory of former South African president Nelson Mandela, who died on Thursday. “It was a very emotional day,” said South Africa captain AB de Villiers. “To get two wins in a row against the number one team in the world is very satisfying.”u00a0
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