Highlights, India vs South Africa 2018, 2nd ODI at Centurion, Full Cricket Score: Visitors thump hosts by 9 wickets

Virat Kohli, India captain: We thought the ball will do something in the morning. We didn’t let them get to a good start. We knew if we get the openers, their middle-order is inexperienced. We will look to cash in on that in future games as well.We knew the wickets will be hard and dry and some bounce, and we knew our wrist spinners are good enough to turn the ball anywhere.

Yuzvendra Chahal, who picked his maiden five-wicket haul in ODIs, is the Man of the Match.

Chahal: It is my first main tour. We are used to play in such conditions and in overseas it is more about your mindset. When I first struck, Kuldeep came in and took two wickets. It puts pressure on the batsmen.

Aiden Markram, South Africa captain: Not the best performance. Each person will look back to get how we can get better. We have got a couple of days to turn it around, that’s the beauty of the sport.  Few soft dismissals, including myself. I got to lead from the front. Not the ideal day, didn’t go how we wanted to go. Maybe it’s a good position to be in, may bring out he best from us.

South Africa will be reeling on the floor of their dressing room. Well not literally, but you get the point. This has to be a demoralising/disappointing/heartbreaking/gut-wrenching loss for them. Not only they were unable to face the spinners, India’s top order showed them how to bat on this pitch. Of course the circumstances were different, but it just goes to show how well India’s spinners bowled. Thing is Proteas cannot even ask for green-tops for the remainder ODIs, just cannot. No time left to prepare such pitches. They need to find answers within that dressing room. They are missing senior batsmen and leadership. Aiden Markram had a first outing as skipper to forget, and with bat as well. They would hope the only way is up from here.

India have coasted in this game. They weren’t expected to, but the spinners were expected to put on a display. And did they outdo themselves. Chahal-Yadav could play every ODI until the end of next World Cup and no one would have a problem about it. More than that though, given how the opposition is depleted, India will be looking to register their best ever result in a bilateral ODI series on South African soil. Too early though to talk about 6-0, or is it?

Largest defeats for South Africa in ODIs: (By balls remaining)

215 v England, Nottingham, 2008

188 v Australia, Sydney, 2002

178 v England, Lord’s, 2003

177 v India, Centurion, 2018*

Largest wins for India in ODIs: (By balls remaining)

231 v Kenya, Bloemfontein, 2001

187 v U.A.E., Perth, 2015

181 v East Africa, Leeds, 1975

178 v SL, Mohali, 2005

177 v SA, Centurion, 2018*

I can tell you the lunch was sumptuous…. and probably why umpires needed that break… grilled chicken, beef steak in sauce, and the strawberries dipped in white/dark chocolate for dessert. Lunch to die for… and oh, India have scored those mega 2 runs for victory after the mockery of 40 minutes ago. 2-0!

India win the second ODI by nine wickets. Virat Kohli finishes the match with a sweep past backward square leg. A dominating performance from the visitors and they have thoroughly deserved this.

After 20 overs,India 117/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 51 , Virat Kohli (C) 44)

Four balls. Four dots. Two more to go. Virat Kohli is six runs away from his fifty. Will we get an opportunity to score it? Dhawan tries to sweep the penultimate delivery and misses. Connects on the final ball but it goes straight to the short fine leg fielder.

Indian batsmen are back on the field… to score the rest of the two runs.

Can you believe it? 2 runs to win and umpires call players off for lunch. Virat Kohli is annoyed as he should be. Archaic, even stupid, rules continue to govern international cricket. Unbelievable.

India need 2 runs off 31 overs, but, but India will chase it down after a 40-minute break. Others might be complaining, I am not as it will allow me to have a bite. See you back after the break.

After 19 overs,India 117/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 51 , Virat Kohli (C) 44)

And India fall two runs short and will have to walk back after the break to finish the proceedings. They score seven off the over. The umpires have called for a lunch break. Virat Kohli cannot believe it. The South Africans too are befuddled. The fans are leaving. They know the game is over. Cricket, you never stop surprising us, do you?

After 18 overs,India 110/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 49 , Virat Kohli (C) 39)

India 18 runs away from the victory and nine come off this over. Nine needed off the next over; that is if India want to finish the match before the lunch break.

FOUR! Virat Kohli charges down the track and smacks it over point. Lovely shot.

FOUR! Morkel attempts the slower delivery, 124 kph, Dhawan waits for it and smashes it over midwicket.

After 17 overs,India 101/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 44 , Virat Kohli (C) 35)

The lunch break has been extended by 15 minutes to allow for the result. South Africa have to bowl four overs, of which two have been bowled. India cross the 100-run mark in this Tahir over, which went for three runs.

After 16 overs,India 98/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 43 , Virat Kohli (C) 33)

Morne Morkel replaces Shamsi. It is too late for him to make any impact now. The result is inevitable. Five runs come in the over. India two runs away from the 100-run mark.

After 15 overs,India 93/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 42 , Virat Kohli (C) 31)

India are seven runs away from the 100-run mark in the 15th over. It took South Africa almost 27 overs to get there. Kind of explains the dominance Kuldeep and Chahal had in the middle overs. Seven off this Tahir over.

South Africa’s heart just not in it…. India have their foot on the Proteas’ neck and pressing for greater discomfort. And there seems to be no lunch break so this will be an even bigger embarrassing loss for the hosts.

FOUR! An unforgivable error this from Khaya Zondo. Kohli whips one through midwicket, Zondo standing in the deep simply had to pick the ball but it goes between his legs for a boundary.

After 14 overs,India 87/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 41 , Virat Kohli (C) 26)

Shamsi is struggling and India aren’t forgiving his bad balls. Score two boundaries off them and also score a single. Nine runs off it.

FOUR! Beautifully played. Shamsi goes full, too much if you ask me, Virat Kohli goes forward and drills it through cover.

FOUR! The ball slips out of Shamsi’s hand and ends up being a full toss on leg, Dhawan doesn’t miss out and thrashes it to the fine leg fence.

After 13 overs,India 77/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 36 , Virat Kohli (C) 22)

India not giving any opening to South Africa. They have consistently looked to score runs and why not? Think they want to finish this before the lunch break, which is scheduled at 5 pm (IST). Tahir concedes four singles in his second over.

After 12 overs,India 73/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 34 , Virat Kohli (C) 20)

Both the wrist spinners have leaked runs in their first over. Two boundaries and a single came off Shamsi’s over.

FOUR! Shamsi drops it short and around off, Dhawan waits for it and pulls it over midwicket for his seventh boundary.

FOUR! Loops this outside off, Dhawan goes back and first went for a sweep before deciding to cut it very late. It should’ve been a dot but Morne Morkel lets it through his legs for a boundary.

Tabraiz Shamsi is into the attack.

After 11 overs,India 64/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 26 , Virat Kohli (C) 19)

Imran Tahir comes into the attack. Can he a make a difference on this pitch where his batsmen failed miserably against the wrist spinners? No; seems to be the answer as India milk three singles and score a boundary in his over.

FOUR! Imran Tahir bowls a long hop and Dhawan doesn’t spare those. Goes back and smacks it over midwicket.

After 10 overs,India 57/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 21 , Virat Kohli (C) 17)

South Africa have bowled 10 overs. India’s run rate has been 5.7. If this continues, they might win even before the 20th over is bowled. Two runs came off this over, which was bowled by Rabada.

Shikhar Dhawan becomes the fourth player with whom Virat Kohli has now added 2000-plus runs in ODIs after Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina and Gautam Gambhir.

After 9 overs,India 55/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 20 , Virat Kohli (C) 16)

Morris continues. Dhawan pulls the first ball, which is short, for a single to fine leg. Two dots follow and then Dhawan drives down one past mid off for a brace. The sixth delivery is short and outside off, Kohli upper cuts it over point. India cruising at the moment, have crossed the 50-run mark.

FOUR! Short and outside off, Virat Kohli waits for it and slashes it over point.

After 8 overs,India 48/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 19 , Virat Kohli (C) 10)

Five dot balls followed by a maximum. The fifth ball by Rabada was short, Kohli tried to pull but he under-edged and the ball hit him on the ribs. The next ball: short again but this time around Kohli thrashes it over fine leg.

Virat Kohli clears fine leg boundary… SIX. India steaming along at 6/over… They want to finish it before lunch break? Another 20 minutes to go. South Africa totally disheartened.

SIX! He took a blow on the ribs and quite expectedly Rabada bowled a short ball and Kohli pulls it over fine leg.

After 7 overs,India 42/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 19 , Virat Kohli (C) 4)

Just when you thought that this could be a fine over for South Africa, Dhawan scored a streaky boundary off the final delivery.

FOUR! Shikhar Dhawan goes forward to drive but it finds the outside edge and goes past gully for a boundary.

After 6 overs,India 38/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 15 , Virat Kohli (C) 4)

Dhawan begins Radaba’s over with  boundary and immediately rotates the strike. Virat does the same to fine leg off the fourth ball. Dhawan pushes the final ball back to the bowler, who fails to collect it but mocks a throw. The Indian batsmen run a single off that misfield.

Houseful crowd now busy with Mexican Waves…. because what else is left to do at Centurion today.

FOUR! Shikhar Dhawan stands tall and drives this length ball through cover. Runs flowing at the moment.

After 5 overs,India 31/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 9 , Virat Kohli (C) 3)

Chris Morris is into the attack. He doesn’t concede a run off his first two balls. Ball four: a gentle push to cover for a single. Dhawan pulls the fifth delivery through backward square to bring Virat back on strike. Kohli steers the sixth ball through point and runs two as Tahir makes a good stop.

Rohit gone this time, as wickets continue to fall too quickly. Virat Kohli walks in, to boos from certain section of the crowd. Not sure what those were for. But Indian fans boisterous enough to drown them out.

After 4 overs,India 26/1 ( Shikhar Dhawan 8 , Virat Kohli (C) 0)

Two boundaries followed by a wicket. An eventful over. Things are moving on quite rapidly. Virat Kohli is the new man in. Dhawan is on strike though. The final delivery is a full toss swinging down leg, Dhawan attempts a flick and misses. The umpire doesn’t spread his arms. Wonder why. Maybe it brushed his jersey or trousers.

OUT! Kagiso Rabada gets his man. A needless shot from Rohit Sharma really. He plays the one-legged pull off a short ball towards fine leg and Morne Morkel grabs it. 

Rohit c Morne Morkel b Rabada 15(17)

FOUR! Rabada bangs it short, Rohit senses the opportunity and plays the ramp shot over the slip cordon.

FOUR! Rabada bowls one too straight, Rohit flicks it with perfection for his first boundary.

After 3 overs,India 18/0 ( Rohit Sharma 7 , Shikhar Dhawan 8)

Morkel to Dhawan. The southpaw chases the second delivery and almost nicks. But on the next ball, Dhawan drives one through cover for a boundary. Ball four is wide followed by a boundary. South Africa have two slips and a gully in place but they need to be aggressive in a smart manner as the runs to defend are less. Nine off the over.

FOUR! Another. Morne Morkel is yet to find his rhythm. Dishes out a half-volley and Dhawan duly punishes it by driving it through cover.

Rohit Sharma’s scores in ODIs in South Africa before today:

11, 9, 23, 1, 5, 18, 19, 20

FOUR! Shikhar Dhawan’s eyes lit up after seeing the width and he creams it through cover.

After 2 overs,India 9/0 ( Rohit Sharma 7 , Shikhar Dhawan 0)

Rabada to Rohit. The Indian vice-captain prods forward in defence for the first ball. Errs in line on the second and strays it down the leg side. Wide signalled. Two dots follow. Rohit Sharma is given out caught behind. Kagiso Rabada is pumped up. But Rohit has reviewed it immediately. Replays show that as the ball passed his willow, the bat hit the pad. And the third umpire overturns the original decision.

Loud boos from the crowd on that DRS reversal. Was that conclusive enough to reverse the umpire’s call? Perhaps.

Indian innings begins and Rohit Sharma smacks one off Morne Morkel into the crowd… just isn’t South Africa’s day this. But you already knew that!

Kagiso Rabada to bowl from the other end.

After 1 overs,India 8/0 ( Rohit Sharma 7 , Shikhar Dhawan 0)

Morne Morkel to Rohit Sharma. His second ball is a wide. And Rohit pulls the third over square leg for a huge maximum. Morkel responds with a yorker but Rohit jams it out safely. The over ends with a single to mid on.

Indian spinners took eight wickets in today’s match – the joint most spinners from a team has taken in an innings of an ODI played in South Africa.

SIX! Wow! Typical Rohit Sharma shot, this. Goes slightly forward and pulls one in front of square on the leg side.

The Indian openers walk out at the centre before the lunch break. Morne Morkel to start the proceedings for South Africa. Two slips in place. 

India need 119 to win the second ODI.

Yuzvendra Chahal becomes the first spinner to take a 5-for against South Africa in South Africa in ODIs. 

Indian players to take a five-for in ODIs in South Africa:

Ashish Nehra v England at Durban in 2003
Yuzvendra Chahal v South Africa at Centurion in 2018*

118 is now South Africa’s lowest total in South Africa in ODIs. Their previous lowest was 119 against England at Port Elizabeth in 2009.

SA batsmen mesmerised by Chahal and Yadav. Spin pair going from strength to strength. Winning this match should be a formality for India

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) February 4, 2018

This is only the second time that two spinners have taken three or more wickets each in an ODI played in South Africa against South Africa. 
Other instance: West Indies at Bloemfontein, 1999

We all know what he is trying to hint, don’t we? Ashwin and Jadeja must be watching the ODI series keenly (or not).

Kuldeep Yadav becomes the first Asian spinner to take two three-fors in an ODI series played in South Africa against South Africa.

From 99/5 to 118/10, this has been some collapse. One has to ponder as to how does an international side fail to pick the wrist spinners. Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav snared eight wickets between them. Debutant Khaya Zondo seemed to be the most promising batsman of South Africa but he succumbed under pressure. And India will walk out to bat. Till they come out to bat, go through the figures of Yadav and Chahal – 8/42 – and wonder how the fortunes have changed for India. Remember the Champions Trophy final and their failure to strike in the middle overs? That conundrum is past the Indian team management now.

The last time before this series an Asian team’s spinners took 10 or more wickets in an ODI series in South Africa against South Africa was back in 2013-14 when Pakistani spinners took 10 wickets.

OUT! South Africa bowled out for 118! Yuzvendra Chahal bags his first-wicket haul in ODIs. Morris tries to carve one over covers but finds the sweeper cover fielder. 

Chris Morris c Bhuvneshwar b Chahal 14(10)

After 32 overs,South Africa 118/9 ( Chris Morris 14 , Tabraiz Shamsi 0)

Well this is surprising. Virat Kohli has brought back Jasprit Bumrah into the attack when the wrist spinners were doing extremely well. His first ball is short, Morris backs away and slashes it. The sweeper cover, Shikhar Dhawan, goes for the catch but it bounces in front of him and he takes a blow on the chin. Tahir on strike. Looks to flick the second delivery but misses. Pokes at the third misses. Guess, we can expect this to continue. A terrific over from Bumrah. Only one over and a wicket.

OUT! Nine down! Bowled ’em! Bumrah targets the stumps and Tahir is beaten all ends up. He departs for a 7-ball duck.

After 31 overs,South Africa 117/8 ( Chris Morris 13 , Imran Tahir 0)

Chahal to Morkel. He blocks the first ball and pushes the second towards off side. And on the third, he loses his wicket. Tahir is the new man in. Has an exaggerated defence but survives three balls.

South Africa going down like nine-pins… this will be a very long series for them if this trend continues. This match is as good as over and we haven’t reached the 35th over of the first innings yet.

OUT! As plumb as it gets. Morne Morkel is unhappy with this decision. Has he inside edged it? Nope, nothing. He has missed it by a mile. Chahal collects his fourth wicket and boy oh boy, isn’t he having a ball? He pushes Morkel on the back foot with a googly and the southpaw misses it completely and gets struck on the pads.

 Morne Morkel lbw b Chahal 1(4)

After 30 overs,South Africa 117/7 ( Chris Morris 13 , Morne Morkel 1)

Yadav to Morris, who tries to club this pitched-up ball over long-on. Doesn’t get hold of it and that falls short of incoming fielder. They get a single though. Rabada defends next and is trapped leg before next ball. New man Morne Morkel spoons a catch to mid-on where Jadhav drops him. Morris ends the over with a six.

SIX! Morris goes for the big one, uses his reach to get under this Kuldeep delivery and deposits him over long-on. Clean strike.

Morne Morkel is new man in

OUT! Kuldeep Yadav’s wrong’ un is too good for Rabada. Fails to read this, and is trapped LBW.

Rabada lbw b Kuldeep Yadav 1(5)

Zondo played a few too many shots. Pandya almost messed it up. More importantly though, Chahal gets Duminy. Dhoni’s input so valuable there. Said “leg pe dalna” (keep a leg side line) two balls before Chahal gets one to come in… Duminy gone. Brilliant.

After 29 overs,South Africa 109/6 ( Chris Morris 6 , Kagiso Rabada 1)

Chahal to Duminy. Dot to start and he gets Duminy LBW next ball. That was on the cards. Two dots to Rabada and two singles to end the over.

Kagiso Rabada is the next batsman

OUT! Loopy, full and within stumps, as advised by MS Dhoni before this ball. Duminy goes for the sweep, misses, and that was headed for the middle of middle stump.

Duminy lbw b Chahal 25(39)

Yuzvendra Chahal’s bowling strike rate of 31.1 is the third best among all the spinners since his ODI debut. (Min.30 wickets taken)

After 28 overs,South Africa 107/5 ( JP Duminy 25 , Chris Morris 5)

Kuldeep returns. Starts with two dots to Duminy and a single on the third ball. Morris blocks next ball on leg-stump and sweeps next to square leg for a single. Lots of advice pouring in from Dhoni. Bit short is the last ball and Duminy cuts for a single.

After 27 overs,South Africa 104/5 ( JP Duminy 23 , Chris Morris 4)

Good over from Chahal. Six runs and the wicket of Zondo there. They need to better against spinners.

FOUR! Full and outside off from Chahal and Morris drives this powerfully.

Chris Morris is in.

OUT! Zondo is gone! Chahl tosses it up,and Zondo takes the bait. Goes for a sweep and some extra bounce results in a top-edge. Pandya at square leg juggles but takes it. 

Zondo c Hardik Pandya b Chahal 25(45)

After 26 overs,South Africa 98/4 ( JP Duminy 21 , Khaya Zondo 25)

Jadhav continues. Starts with a single to left-hander. Quick single by Zondo to backward square leg on the third ball. One more single on the fourth ball, and that’s all they get from this over.

After 25 overs,South Africa 95/4 ( JP Duminy 19 , Khaya Zondo 24)

Chahal comes back into the attack. Starts with a dot to Duminy. Single on the next ball brings Zondo on strike. He plays it late, allowing the ball to turn. Cuts him to sweeper cover on the fourth ball for a single. Full again, and Duminy under-edges that sweep for a single to fine leg. Dot to end the over.

After 24 overs,South Africa 92/4 ( JP Duminy 17 , Khaya Zondo 23)

Jadhav to Zondo. Single through that mistimed late-cut to short third-man. Two more singles are followed by two dots. Stump-to-stump line this. Could have been another dot but short mid-wicket can’t stop that. Four from that over.

After 23 overs,South Africa 88/4 ( JP Duminy 15 , Khaya Zondo 21)

Pandya again. Continues round the wicket to Duminy. Bouncer, and Duminy sways away. Back of length, and Duminy takes a single to backward point. Zondo late-cuts a four and takes a single next ball. Mature stuff from the debudant. Single on last two balls.

FOUR! Back of length from Pandya and Zondo late cuts it past short thid-man.

After 22 overs,South Africa 80/4 ( JP Duminy 13 , Khaya Zondo 15)

Bowling change. Kedar Jadhav is into the attack. Full on middle and leg and Zondo takes a single to midwicket. Round the wicket to left-handed Duminy, who driven hard to covers. Single. Two dots to Zondo. Quick single to cover where Pandya may have thrown at the wrong end. Single on the last ball ends the over.

After 21 overs,South Africa 76/4 ( JP Duminy 11 , Khaya Zondo 13)

Pandya again. Short of length and outside off, and Zondo lets it go. Comes closer to off-stump next ball and almost gets a nick. Turns the next ball to square leg to get off the strike. Short again to Duminy, who pulls it to square leg for a single. Back of length to Zondo, who defends to backward point. Single to third man on the last ball.

Poor first spells from Hardik Pandya. The pitches have been tough but that is no excuse. South Africa have looked to target him and he has had no response thus far, in both Durban and Centurion. Never mind his new blue streaks of hair, he continues to be off colour as third choice seamer.

After 20 overs,South Africa 73/4 ( JP Duminy 10 , Khaya Zondo 11)

Kuldeep to Zondo. Starts with three full balls that are defended by Zondo. Here’s the googly, Zondo reads it and taps it to wide leg slip. Goes for a big sweep and inside edges it. Finally gets a single on last ball with a push to long off.

After 19 overs,South Africa 72/4 ( JP Duminy 10 , Khaya Zondo 10)

Bowling change. Hardik Pandya comes back and is greeted with a lovely off-drive for four by Duminy, who collects another boundary through a streaky shot past third man.

FOUR! Streaky from Duminy. That took the outer half of the bat and flies to third man.

South Africa are in trouble after losing three wickets in quick succession and they have a debutant at the crease along with JP Duminy who has not scored even a single fifty-plus score in his last 16 ODI innings. If South Africa want to post a decent total today then the senior batsman will have to play a good innings.

FOUR! Pandya goes full, and Duminy drives this straight past mid off for four. Have a feeling they might go after him.

After 18 overs,South Africa 64/4 ( JP Duminy 2 , Khaya Zondo 10)

Here’s Kuldeep. Short and turning away with extra bounce from Chahal, beats Duminy on the cut. Goes full next ball, and draws left-hander forward for a defence. Another dot. Goes short of length on next two balls and Duminy is not able to get him away.Finally gets off strike with a drive to this full ball. Last ball is full again, and is defended by Zondo.

Drinks. South Africa have the time to regroup, and regroup they must.

After 17 overs,South Africa 63/4 ( JP Duminy 1 , Khaya Zondo 10)

Chahal to Zondo, who steps out and pushes this to long off for a single. Duminy is off the mark with a paddle sweep and Zondo plays two dots. Nearly gone there, Zondo. Steps out, fails to read this leg-break and edges it past slip to third man for a couple.

After 16 overs,South Africa 59/4 ( JP Duminy 0 , Khaya Zondo 7)

Kuldeep bowls a full toss first up that is dispatched for four by Zondo. Just one more single from the over as Kuldeep looks to settle in.

Beauty! What a Jaffa from Yadav… You can say Miller is bamboozled again by the Chinaman. Drawn forward and edged… What a ball, had no clue about it. Rahane doesn’t drop those at slip.

FOUR! Kuldeep bowls full toss and Zondo pulls this well and beats deep midwicket.

After 15 overs,South Africa 54/4 ( JP Duminy 0 , Khaya Zondo 2)

Lots of flight in this over from Chahal. He is inviting Zondo for a big drive and the young man has resisted well. Maiden. South Africa under a lot of pressure. Indian spinners are beginning to cast their spell.

What has Markram done. Poor shot… SA had just lost a wicket… No need for that big shot. Knew the moment he hit it. Well judged from Bhuvi as well.

Chahal gets his man. Following the Durban script again. Good set up from the leggie… Was full and then next ball dropped short…bit of top edge but straight into Pandya’s hands.

After 14 overs,South Africa 53/4 ( JP Duminy 0 , Khaya Zondo 1)

What an over this from Kuldeep. Two wickets have brought a lot of pressure on South Africa. Duminy and Khaya Zondo have a lot to do here.

Khaya Zondo is the next man

OUT! Miller is gone! What’s happening here? Kuldeep tosses this up and Miller goes for a drive, ends up edging this to Rahane at first slip. They are crumbling.

 Miller c Rahane b Kuldeep Yadav 0(4)

David Miller is in.

OUT! Kuldeep’s got lucky here! Drops short and Markram pulls it straight to Bhuvi in the deep. 

Markram c Bhuvneshwar b Kuldeep Yadav 8(11)

After 13 overs,South Africa 51/2 ( Aiden Markram (C) 8 , JP Duminy 0 )

Here’s Chahal. Loopy full ball to Markram who defends this. Dhoni advises Chahal to keep it fuller. Plenty of chirping there. Markram takes a single to leg side to bring up SA’s 50. Two more singles and Chahal gets QDK on the last ball.

OUT! QDK is gone! Short from Chahal and he pulls. This is hit from the bottom of the bat and finds deep square leg. 

Quinton de Kock c Hardik Pandya b Chahal 20(36)

After 12 overs,South Africa 48/1 ( Quinton de Kock (W) 19 , Aiden Markram (C) 6)

Pandya, with blue streaks, comes round the wicket to QDK. It’s back of length and angling in, and left-hander cuts it to point. He goes fuller next ball, and QDK drives him crisply to mid off. No run again. He gets off the strike on the third ball with a push to mid-on. Bad ball this. Short of length and on Markram’s legs, who glances this to fine leg for four. Corrects his line and length next ball, and is defended off the front foot by Markram. Single to mid on on the last ball.

FOUR! Pandya strays on Markram’s legs who glances this back of length ball to fine leg for an easy four.

After 11 overs,South Africa 42/1 ( Quinton de Kock (W) 18 , Aiden Markram (C) 1)

End of first powerplay and here’s leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. Starts with a dot to QDK who turns the second ball to backward square leg for a single. Markram gets off the mark with a push to long off. One more run in the over. Tidy start.

Amla just starting to open up with a flurry of boundaries and then Bhuvi gets a feather edge… the break India were looking for within first ten overs.

After 10 overs,South Africa 39/1 ( Quinton de Kock (W) 16 , Aiden Markram (C) 0)

Bhuvi again. Good length, and Amla plays it to backward point. Dot ball is the next ball and Amla responds with a beautiful drive for four. And he is gone next ball. Well, well, he gets an inside edge here, and goes for the referral. The edge is spotted though, and South Africa lose their first wicket. Aiden Markram, the skipper is in, and is beaten on the cut by low bounce. Dot to end the over.

OUT! Four and out! Amla is gone. Bhuvi gets it to move in and Amla gets a faint tickle on his inside edge. They go upstairs and snickometer picks the edge. First blow.

FOUR! Oh wow! What a shot this from Amla. Good length from Bhuvi and Amla presses forward with a high elbow to lace this drive. Lovely shot.

After 9 overs,South Africa 35/0 ( Hashim Amla 19 , Quinton de Kock (W) 16)

First bowling change. Hardik Pandya is here. Full and slanting in and Amla plays it uppishly to mid-on. They take a quick single but that was tight had Bhuvi’s throw found stumps. Full again to QDK, who drives it to mid-off. Full again, and QDK steps out and hits it over the infield to deep midwicket for his first four. Follows it with a streaky boundary past point. Edges the fifth ball again that falls short of short third man. Dot ball to end the over.

FOUR! Streaky. Pandya bowls this outside off and QDK’s thick edge gets him four.

FOUR! Full from Pandya and QDK hits it over the infield to deep midwicket.

After 8 overs,South Africa 26/0 ( Hashim Amla 18 , Quinton de Kock (W) 8)

Bumrah to De Kock, who defends this tentatively and inside edges. No damage though. The pressure is telling now, as QDK steps out and tries a short-arm pull, but inside edges it to his body. No run again. Turns the next ball to leg side to get off strike and Amla hits a mistimed pull next ball. Chahal keeps it to a brace. Single on the last ball.

After 7 overs,South Africa 22/0 ( Hashim Amla 15 , Quinton de Kock (W) 7)

Bhuvi to Amla. Throws his hand at this length ball and cover fields it. Amla gets a boundary next ball through thick edge and finds another a ball later with a flowing drive. Beaten on the last ball.

Slow and watchful start from South Africa. Bhuvi and Bumrah have bowled well of course, but just how well cannot be judged. Simply because South African openers have been very wary of playing too many shots. They were hurt in Durban because they lost Amla early and this is concerted effort from him to stay longer and face the spinners. This is clutch batting.

FOUR! Bhuvi goes slightly fuller and Amla stands tall to drive this through off-side. Great shot.

FOUR! Some width from Bhuvi and Amla throws his hands at it. Thick edge flies over the lone slip for a boundary.

After 6 overs,South Africa 14/0 ( Hashim Amla 7 , Quinton de Kock (W) 7)

Bumrah to QDK, who pushes this back of length ball to mid off for no run. Drives the next ball with not much timing wide of mid on and they steal a single. Amla with that punch again, and sweeper cover cuts it off. Single. QDK defends with some leading edge, but no harm done. Chops the next to third man, and a more timely dive at point would have stopped that single. Amla inside edges last ball to fine leg to keep the strike for next over.

After 5 overs,South Africa 10/0 ( Hashim Amla 5 , Quinton de Kock (W) 5)

Bhuvi to QDK. Bit too straight there and he collects a single to backward square leg. This should help him after a nasty first over from Bumrah. Amla punches next ball solidly to point and drives the next straight  to bowler. Think he deserved some runs on either of them, but finds fielders on each occasion. Finally gets one past the inner ring on the fourth ball, as he drives crisply to off-side. Virat has a deep point, who keeps it to a single. Quick singe on the last ball ends the over. Good start from India.

Quinton de Kock has scored four centuries out of his last five ODIs at SuperSport Park, Centurion. But he has not been in his best of form currently so Indian bowlers would like to take an advantage of that fact.

After 4 overs,South Africa 7/0 ( Hashim Amla 4 , Quinton de Kock (W) 3)

Bumrah to De Kock. A bit too straight, and De Kock pushes it to backward square leg to open his account. Loud applause to welcome him getting off the mark. He runs two. Three more short of length balls which are defended by the opener. Bumrah strays on De Kock’s legs and he nudges it to fine leg for a single. Back of length again to Amla, draws the batsman forward and Amla responds with a push to mid-off for no runs.

After 3 overs,South Africa 4/0 ( Hashim Amla 4 , Quinton de Kock (W) 0)

Bhuvi again. Starts with hitting the length to Amla, who defends this. He switches back to short of length stuff for next three balls, all of which yield no runs. The fifth ball is a tad fuller, and he throws his hands at it. No run though, as this is hit straight to the bowler. Ends the over with a solid forward defence. Maiden.

Two changes for South Africa. Both surprising. Khaya Zondo in place of Faf du Plessis. Debut for him after waiting too long. Obviously experimenting for World Cup as they didn’t go with more experienced Farhaan Behardien.

More surprising though, they have two spinners. Faf said after Durban match “we don’t play two spinners in SA”. Young captain next match and bang two spinners… Kids eh?!

After 2 overs,South Africa 4/0 ( Hashim Amla 4 , Quinton de Kock (W) 0)

Here’s Jasprit Bumrah from the Pavillion End…and almost has Quinton de Kock first ball! The left-hander defends this back of a length ball tentatively and it almost rolls off to to hit the stumps. Oh what’s happened here…this rears up from length and hits him on the gloves. This will put some doubts in his head for sure. Again…that’s a wicked third ball. It spits from the length and hits his pother hand. De Kock is wincing here.Three dots to end the over as the opener negotiates them safely. Maiden.

After 1 overs,South Africa 4/0 ( Hashim Amla 4 , Quinton de Kock (W) 0)

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to start the proceedings. He is bowling to Hashim Amla. India would remember the 2003 World Cup group match against Pakistan at this venue, when a Sachin Tendulkar special won the game for them. Meanwhile Bhuvi starts with a back of length ball outside off, that is left alone. Next ball swings in and is defended solidly by Amla. He unleashes his backfoot punch next ball to get his first boundary and is cautious for rest of the over. Tidy start.

FOUR! Back of length from Bhuvi and Hashim Amla punches this off the backfoot for first boundary of the day.

Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock are out in the centre. It’s a high-scoring venue and South Africa would like to score big, considering India’s chasing capabilities.

Two changes for South Africa. Both surprising. Khaya Zondo in place of Faf du Plessis. Debut for him after waiting too long. Obviously experimenting for World Cup as they didn’t go with more experienced Farhaan Behardien.

More surprising though, they have two spinners. Faf said after Durban match “we don’t play two spinners in SA”. Young captain next match and bang two spinners… Kids eh?!

South Africa’s XI: Quinton de Kock(w), Hashim Amla, Aiden Markram(c), Jean-Paul Duminy, Khaya Zondo, David Miller, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir

Big day for Aiden Markram. Leading South Africa for the first time in only his 3rd ODI. 

Saw him play at Red Bull Campus Cricket World Finals in 2015 at Dehradun. His college side Assupol Tuks represented South Africa. He was their captain and lead batsman winning the tournament of course. 

Has also led SA Under 19 to World Cup win. There is a reason why they have invested in him. Leading the national team at his home around. Tuks’ college not very far off from where we are sitting.

India’s XI: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli(c), Ajinkya Rahane, MS Dhoni(w), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah

Big day for Aiden Markram. Leading South Africa for the first time in only his 3rd ODI. 

Saw him play at Red Bull Campus Cricket World Finals in 2015 at Dehradun. His college side Assupol Tuks represented South Africa. He was their captain and lead batsman winning the tournament of course. 

Has also led SA Under 19 to World Cup win. There is a reason why they have invested in him. Leading the national team at his home around. Tuks’ college not very far off from where we are sitting.

India win toss and opt to field. No surprise there… That’s what Virat Kohli likes to do obviously. 

No changes for India and for good reason. Only issue was their No 4 spot but Ajinkya Rahane seems to have made that spot his own for the next few matches at least. End of experimentation for now.

Houseful Sunday once again in Centurion… It’s bright and sunny here as compared to Johannesburg where it’s all cloudy and raining. Good day for some ODI cricket.

#TeamIndia Captain @imVkohli wins the toss and elects to bowl first in the 2nd ODI against South Africa #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/kCw2kG6b0N

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 4, 2018

India have won the toss and Virat Kohli has opted to bowl first.

India vs South Africa: Opener Aiden Markram named stand-in Proteas skipper for remainder of ODI series- Firstcricket News, Firstposthttp://www.firstpost.com

India vs South Africa, 2nd ODI preview: Upbeat visitors face beleaguered Proteas at Centurion- Firstcricket News, Firstposthttp://www.firstpost.com

Hello and welcome to Firstpost live blog. Stay tuned for all the updates and live scores from the second ODI between India and South Africa from Centurion.