South Africa suffered a huge blow after skipper Faf du Plessis was ruled out of the remainder of the ongoing One-Day International (ODI) series against India with a fractured finger, even as the tourists aim to exert pressure on the depleted hosts in the second match. Already down with the absence of veteran AB de Villiers for the first three ODIs, the Proteas will now miss the services of the skipper, who struck a brilliant ton in the opener of the six-match series, albeit in a losing cause. Du Plessis damaged his right index digit during the six-wicket loss in the series opener in Durban on Thursday and is likely to require three to six weeks' time to recover, according to a Cricket South Africa (CSA) statement. Batsman Farhaan Behardien has been added to the squad as a replacement, while Heinrich Klaasen was called in as a back-up wicketkeeper given de Villiers is also sidelined by a finger issue. (Live Scorecard)
Going into the second match, India will be eager to take advantage of the loss of Du Plessis and go 2-0 up in the rubber, with all their departments ticking the right notes in Durban. Led by skipper Virat Kohli's brilliant 33rd ODI ton and steady batting by No.4 Ajinkya Rahane, India romped home in style after the wrist spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal shared five wickets between them to restrict the hosts to 269/8. India's top-order has done reasonably well in the opening ODI barring the odd mix-up between Shikhar Dhawan and Kohli, which led to an unfortunate run-out of the southpaw. The bowling department has delivered well except for pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, having an off day but the spin duo of chinaman Kuldeep (3/34) and Chahal (2/45) have been impressive in what was their maiden outing on South African soil.
Live Updates Between India and South Africa 2nd ODI, straight from Centurion
14:11 IST: WICKET! A loud caught behind appeal from Bhuvi and Dhoni. Umpire Aleem Dar has raised his finger. Wait! Amla has asked for a review. Replay shows there is a nick. It's OUT. Bhuvneshwar gets the breakthrough, Amla departs for 23 runs. South Africa 39/1 in 9.4 overs
14:08 IST: FOUR! What a shot from Amla. He stays back and drives the ball beautifully towards
14:07 IST: 9 runs off Pandya's over. Bhuvi is back into the attack now.
14:05 IST: FOUR! Another boundary for De Kock. This time he sends Pandya towards third man region. South Africa 35/0 in 8.5 overs.
14:04 IST: FOUR! De Kock picks the ball and smashes it towards deep mid wicket region for a boundary.
14:02 IST: First bowling change. Hardik Pandya replaces Bhuvneshwra Kumar.
13:57 IST: FOUR! Brilliant shot from Amla. He stays back and punches the ball towards sweeper cover for a boundary. Bhuvi isn't happy with this shot. South Africa 22/0 in 7 overs.
13:56 IST: FOUR! Amla gets an outside edge and the ball races towards third man boundary.
13:54 IST: Another brilliant over from Bumrah. Just 4 runs off his over. South Africa 14/0 in 6 overs.
13:53 IST: Brilliant bowling from Bumrah and Bhuvi so far. Only one boundary for South Africans so far. The run rate is 2.23.
13:49 IST: 5 overs gone! South Africa 10/0. Amla 5*, De Kock 5*
13:38 IST: Maiden over from Bumrah. South Africa 4/0 in 2 overs.
13:37 IST: De Kock has hurt his finger off a short ball from Bumrah. Amla walks down to him and asks if he alright.
13:35 IST: Ball hits the stumps but the bails don't come off. What a delivery from Bumrah. De Kock is lucky.
13:32 IST: FOUR! First boundary of the match. Amla stays back and sends the ball towards sweeper cover region for a boundary. South Africa 4/0 in 0.3 over.
13:30 IST: Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock are making their way to the middle. Bhuvneshwar will open the attack for India.
13:10 IST: Playing XIs:
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Hashim Amla, Aiden Markram (captain), Jean-Paul Duminy, Khaya Zondo, David Miller, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir
India: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (captain), Ajinkya Rahane, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah
Here's the Playing XI for #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/jUz7t4u0BP
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 4, 2018
13:00 IST: TOSS: India opt to field against South Africa in Centurion.
12:50 IST: Team India practice ahead of the second ODI.
And we are here at Centurion getting ready for the 2nd ODI #TeamIndia #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/DTqYM3kOwB
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 4, 2018
12::45 IST: India will be eager to go 2-0 up in the rubber, with all their departments ticking the right notes in Durban.
12:30 IST: Hello and welcome to the Live coverage from the second ODI between India and South Africa in Centurion.
Hello Centurion! We are all ready and geared up for the 2nd ODI #TeamIndia #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/nh8S4sJiUP
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 3, 2018
The Proteas, on the other hand are yet to name the skipper of the side with Hashim Amla and Jean Paul Duminy emerging as the top contenders. The home side will need to chalk out a strategy to stop the strong Indian batting after using as many as seven bowlers in the opening game. All-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo added up to his handy 33-ball unbeaten 27, by picking the crucial wickets of Kohli and Rahane with his slower bouncers, but the damage was already done by then. The hosts will also bank on the opening duo of Amla and stumper Quinton de Kock to set the tone early on for the likes of Aiden Markram, Duminy, David Miller and Chris Morris to put up a commanding total.
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Big move from Kohli.
Powerplay 2 time. 4 fielders can be kept outside the 30-yard circle, till the 40th over, if the fielding captain wishes.
0
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aiden Markram
No run.
0
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aiden Markram
No run.
Welcome, captain. Aidem Markram comes in at number 3, replacing Amla.
W
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Hashim Amla
OUT c MS Dhoni b Bhuvneshwar Kumar. South Africa have lost their first wicket.
Caught behind! The finger goes up straightaway from Aleem Dar but Amla says ok, I will check it. Time for the review.
4
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Hashim Amla
FOUR.
0
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Hashim Amla
No run.
0
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Hashim Amla
Outside off, pushed towards cover.
Change of ends for Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
0
Hardik Pandya to Quinton de Kock
Outside off, left alone. 9 runs from Hardik's opening over but MS Dhoni shouts from behind the stumps, 'ACCHA START HAI, HARDIK!'
0
Hardik Pandya to Quinton de Kock
Another edge, does not carry again! On a length around middle, Quinton looks to flick but gets a leading edge which dies down in front of gully!
4
Hardik Pandya to Quinton de Kock
EDGED, SAFE, FOUR! The ball is coming way too slow off the pitch. 'It looks more and more like an Indian pitch' comments Sunil Gavaskar on air. A length ball around off, once again de Kock walks down the track. He looks to flick but gets a leading edge which flies over point and finds the boundary.
4
Hardik Pandya to Quinton de Kock
FOUR! WHOOSH! De Kock trying to impose himself. Walks down the track and whips it over mid-wicket for a boundary!
0
Hardik Pandya to Quinton de Kock
Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
1
Hardik Pandya to Hashim Amla
Fullish on middle, eased past mid on for a quick single.
Hardik Pandya comes in as the first change. Comes in with a new hairstyle. To go with his clothes in blue, he has dyed his hair in blue as well. Blue specs would make the perfect fitting combination.
1
Jasprit Bumrah to Hashim Amla
Flicks it behind square leg for a single to retain the strike.
0
Jasprit Bumrah to Hashim Amla
Outside off, pushed to the off side.
