IND vs SA updates:
India’s handling of allrounder Venkatesh Iyer raises eyebrows
India's Venkatesh Iyer. (AP Photo)What’s the role of Venkatesh Iyer in the team? That’s one of the many puzzles floating around the Indian ODI team that plays a brand of outdated cricket. There are quite a few issues from the run-getting pace of the top order to lack of wicket-taking bowlers in the middle overs to lack of finishers but Iyer’s case is a good example as any to capture the confusion in the camp. The stand-in captain KL Rahul, and more so head coach Rahul Dravid, cannot absolve themselves of the mismanagement of the seam-bowling all-rounder who made his ODI debut on Wednesday.
Absence of a seaming all-rounder in white-ball cricket has been the team’s biggest weakness of late, which got exposed at the T20 World Cup last year, when picking a half-fit Hardik Pandya backfired. Iyer was fast-tracked to the Indian team after the tournament because the selectors saw him as an option to fill the void. The team management selected him ahead of Suryakumar Yadav for the first ODI, ostensibly to use him as an all-rounder. Neither was he given a single over, nor was the southpaw utilised properly as a batsman. If he hasn’t impressed the team management as a bowler then why has he been picked and wasted low down in the order where he can’t even show his batting prowess? What was the communication between the selectors and the management? The top order, as it stands now, is clustered with batsmen who like to take their time. Something needs to change there to seize the momentum. Iyer would be actually ideal there as in case he succeeds, it will give India a breakthrough from rigidity they have slipped into. And they wouldn’t get a better chance than these bilateral series to try out options.
The ongoing series against the Proteas, or any bilateral series for that matter in the lead-up to the 2023 World Cup, is sort of inconsequential for India in terms of results. Being the hosts of the ICC event, India aren’t part of the World Cup Super League, as they will qualify automatically. From that perspective, bilateral series offers Dravid and company the chance to plug the void/loopholes and zero in on the right players and right combination.
IND vs SA 2nd ODI: 
A four off the last ball from the bat of Ashwin and that results in 14 runs off the final over. Shardul Thakur's 38-ball 40 and Ashwin's 25 (24) at the end helps India to 287/6 in 50 overs. Can they defend this and level the series?
Ngidi bowls one very close to the wide line, Ashwin misses, looks towards the ump for a Wide, the ump doesn't give it. 1 2 0 0 0 2 - Three dot balls in the 49th over bowled by Ngidi! Ashwin was on strike from the 2nd delivery! Ind: 273/6
Ashwin nails the slog-sweep and it soared over the deep mid-wicket fence for a maximum. Shardul Thakur and R Ashwin with an important partnership for India. 11 runs from the 47th over. IND: 263/6 after 47 overs
FOUR! Thakur waits for the ball to turn from Shamsi and whacks it over extra cover. Just an extension of the drive but he needed to get that over the fielder. "Lord Thakur has been our most consistent batter in this ODI series," says Adwait on Instagram. IND: 252/6 after 46 overs
That’s one of the many puzzles floating around the Indian ODI team that plays a brand of outdated cricket. There are quite a few issues from the run-getting pace of the top order to lack of wicket-taking bowlers in the middle overs to lack of finishers but Iyer’s case is a good example as any to capture the confusion in the camp. (READ MORE)
Quinton de Kock has the quickest hands! What an amazing stumping by QDK! Superb timing, quick hands results in a wicket. V Iyer is gone. Another middle-order slump for the visitors and it seems like India will fall short of 300. IND: 239/6 after 43.5 overs
Thakur reads the slower one and hits one into the stands over mid-wicket. Phehlukwayo has a look of wonder as India record their fourth six of the innings. They need a few more lusty blows. IND: 228/5 in 42 overs
Shamsi gets wicket number 2 for himself and India lose their 5th. Shreyas Iyer departs for 11 after India cross 200-run mark in 37 overs. Iyer is caught plumb in front of stumps and South Africa have bounced back strong. An LBW appeal off Shamsi was sent upstairs, and ball-tracking showed the deadly 3 cards. IND are 207/5 after 37 overs.
Magala over steps and Venkatesh sends the free hit sailing over the fence. That's the first six for Venkatesh, launches straight over the bowlers head. This is also the first maximum after Pant in this match so far. And with that, India cross the 200-run mark. IND are 203/4 after 36 overs.
What’s the role of Venkatesh Iyer in the team? That’s one of the many puzzles floating around the Indian ODI team that plays a brand of outdated cricket. There are quite a few issues from the run-getting pace of the top order to lack of wicket-taking bowlers in the middle overs to lack of finishers but Iyer’s case is a good example as any to capture the confusion in the camp. The stand-in captain KL Rahul, and more so head coach Rahul Dravid, cannot absolve themselves of the mismanagement of the seam-bowling all-rounder who made his ODI debut on Wednesday.
South Africa remove Rishabh Pant soon after claiming Rahul's wicket. Pant hits one straight to long on to depart for 85! Venkatesh Iyer comes in place of Pant. IND are 186/4 after 33 overs.
South Africa get their much-needed breakthrough, remove KL Rahul for 55. Magala gets in on the act, after Rahul chips it to van der Dussen at midwicket. Maiden ODI wicket for Magala. Shreyas Iyer comes in place of Rahul. IND are 183/3 after 32 overs.
Hammers Phehlukwayo over his head for four. Into the 80's now- his highest ODI score. IND are 179/2 after 31 overs.
Highest Test score by an India wicketkeeper in SA - Rishabh Pant
Highest ODI score by an India wicketkeeper in SA - Rishabh Pant
KL Rahul brings up his first half-century as India's ODI captain, makes the most of being dropped in the previous over! The skipper and Rishabh Pant are building a solid partnership for India. With that comes a 100-run stand between Rahul and Pant. IND are 167/2 after 29 overs.
Rahul gets a life, dropped by Markram at backward point. He cut Phehlukwayo hard and it flew to Markram at point but he couldn't hold on. He was dropped earlier in his innings by Malan at slip. An intriguing battle between bat and ball is upon us at Boland Park. And with that, India cross 150 runs. IND are 150/2 after 27 overs.
Rishabh Pant brings up his fourth ODI half-century off 43 deliveries. Pant has come in and counter attacked brilliantly to help get India back on track. This comes up shortly after a 50-run stand with opener Rahul. The KL Rahul-Pant stand is gaining momentum after the loss of two wickets in quick succession. IND are 141/2 after 25 overs.
India cross 100-run mark in 20 overs. Pant and Rahul keep the runs coming, both players looking settled at the crease, with a boundary here and a maximum there. India need this to be a big partnership. IND are 108/2 after 20 overs.
Rishabh Pant decides to counterattack and whacks one from Keshav Maharaj over mid-wicket for a maximum. The left-hander gets on one knee and hits it a long way. Rahul follows it up with a four towards fine leg three balls later. IND are 83/2 after 17 overs.
A huge mixup between Rahul and Pant as they both get stranded at the same end. It was a simple run-out chance but SA made a meal of it. IND are 70/2 after 15 overs.
Keshav Maharaj claims the big wicket! Virat Kohli out without scoring, caught at covers. Kohli can't believe it as he stands stunned. Once again, Kohli is early on his stroke as his bizarre one-handed cover drive pops straight to the fielder. Two wickets gone now. IND are 64/2 after 13 overs.