Opting to bat first, the Proteas suffered a pink day thrashing in the first of three ODIs against India at the Wanderers Stadium on Sunday
South Africa lost by eight wickets after hitting 116 for the third time in their past four One-Day Internationals. fans were perplexed because the team had been so dominant in the early stages of the World Cup.
Reeza Hendricks didn’t take advantage of the first opportunity, Unlucky for Rassie van der Dussen, Umpire Bongani Jele raised his finger to the first ball Arshdeep gave him. Really None of the batters got going except Andile Phehlukwayo (33 off 49) and Tony de Zorzi (28 off 22), whose contributions took South Africa past the three-figure mark.
In response, India managed to reach the goal in 100 balls because to half-centuries from rookie Sai Sudharsan (55 not out off 43 balls) and Shreyas Iyer (52 off 45 deliveries).
The victory gives India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Gqeberha will host the second ODI on Tuesday, while the third will be played in Paarl on Thursday.
Pink Day ODI
Pink Day’s focus is to unite South African cricket fans and a nation in raising awareness and funds for breast cancer.
South African women have a one in twenty-nine chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer, with breast cancer being the most common amongst women. This is according to the Cancer Association of South Africa.
PinkDrive, in partnership with Cricket South Africa (CSA), Bidvest Wanderers, the Gauteng Cricket Board (GCB) and Momentum has championed the cause of driving breast cancer education through ODI cricket, successfully raising funds and awareness annually.
