KL Rahul, after India’s seven-wicket loss against South Africa in the second ODI, said that the team needs to improve their middle-order batting and learn to take wickets in the middle overs. With the win, the Proteas sealed the three-match series. They now lead 2-0. 

Batting first, KL Rahul and co set a 288-run target, which was quite below-par on the flat Paarl track. Rishabh Pant top-scored with 85 runs. KL Rahul (55 off 79) and Shardul Thakur (40* off 38) also played handy knocks. Virat Kohli, however, got out for a duck, his first in ODIs since 2020. 

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The likes of Quinton de Kock (78 off 66 balls) in the company of rising sensation Janneman Malan (91 off 108 balls) added 132 for a match-deciding opening stand. The home team eventually reached the target in 48.1 overs. 

The Indian bowlers looked clueless against the seasoned Protea batsmen. Veterans like Bhuvneshwar Kumar (8-0-67-0) and Ravichandran Ashwin (10-1-68-0) leaked runs throughout their spells as even some economic bowling by Yuzvendra Chahal (10-0-47-1) and Jasprit Bumrah (10-0-37-1) couldn’t make much of a dent. 

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“We are trying to get better at things we haven’t done well in the past. Partnerships, middle order becomes crucial when we are entering a big tournament, want to get better at bowling in the middle overs and these are the few things which are really obvious and right in front of us.

“We have spoken about it and it’s only up to us to get better, learn from it and find a way,” said Rahul at the post-match presentation.

The pitch played on a slower side, unlike the usual Boland park. Rahul credited the South Africans for executing the chase well and ‘showing us the importance of partnerships and putting pressure early on against the bowlers’ are. 

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He then praised Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli’s batting in the first game.

“The way Shikhar and Virat batted in the first game was very good, and today Rishabh batted, the way he managed the first 20 balls and then he took down the spinners.

“He is a really important member of the team and Shardul, too, showing us he can bat lower down and make a good contribution. Jasprit has been the standout bowler for us and Yuzi has been good today,” the skipper said.