India vs South Africa Highlights, 2nd ODI 2022: Shreyas Iyer ton, Ishan Kishan help India level series

The India bowling effort was hot and cold throughout the innings. Mohammed Siraj gave them the perfect start when he got rid of Quinton de Kock in the third over and then the others put the brakes on the runs before Shahbaz Ahmed got the wicket of Janneman Malan which was his maiden ODI wicket. They could not continue the momentum and let South Africa a build a huge partnership. However, they got back in the game with the help of Siraj once again who broke the partnership and got the wicket of Hendricks. India then further got control over the game when Kuldeep Yadav dismissed Klassen and Washington Sundar got the big wicket of Markram in consecutive overs. Mohammed Siraj was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets for just 38 runs in his 10 overs. They bowled well in the death overs for a change and did not let the South African finishers to score big. India will be happy to restrict South Africa under the 300-run mark.

Bjorn Fortuin to Shikhar Dhawan, Five dots in a row to start with! Quicker and flatter, on leg stump, Shikhar Dhawan tucks it away towards square leg.

Bjorn Fortuin to Shikhar Dhawan, Fortuin angles this one across the left-hander and Dhawan just strokes it away towards point.

Bjorn Fortuin to Shikhar Dhawan, Around the pads this time, Dhawan flicks it away towards square leg this time.

Bjorn Fortuin to Shikhar Dhawan, Beats the bat! This is flatter again and just going on with the arm past the left-hander. Shikhar Dhawan looks to guide it away but gets beaten past the outside edge.

Bjorn Fortuin to Shikhar Dhawan, Fortuin starts off right on the money. This is flatter and on off, Shikhar Dhawan just blocks it out from his crease.

Right then, South Africa have put on 278 runs on the board and with their bowling attack it will not be an easy chase for India. The top order of the hosts will need to put on a better performance and Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill will be key for them. This is a must-win game for them and they will be confident enough to level the series. Will the Men in Blue gun this total down? Or will the Proteas defend it successfully to seal the series? We will find out soon. Stay tuned for the second essay.

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Reeza Hendricks is up for a chat. He says that it was nice to be out there and contribute but would have liked to get that ton. Adds that it was nice batting with Aiden Markram and they needed that partneship but unfortunately, both of them got out at the wrong time and they couldn't quite get the big finish either. Says that if one of them had stayed on, they would have got to 300. Mentions that the Indian bowlers bowled well and it was a tricky wicket as the ball wasn't quite coming onto the bat.

South Africa will be satisfied with their performance with the blade but they know they could have got more. They did not get the best of starts and lost Quinton de Kock and Janneman Malan inside the first Powerplay for cheap scores. After that Aiden Markram and Reeza Hendricks started steadying the ship, they both started off slow and took time to settle in but once they did they scored runs freely. Both of them added a 129 runs before Hendricks got dismissed for a well played 74. However, Markram continued the momentum with Heinrich Klaasen and both played some lusty blows but both of them perished in the space of two overs and gave the momentum back to India. David Miller stayed till the end but struggled to score big runs. They will feel that they are 20-25 runs short as there will be dew when India will come out to chase.

A really good bowling performance from India at the back end of the innings and they have restricted South Africa to 278. They will be the slightly happier side going into the break and the momentum will also be with them after the incredible final over from Mohammed Siraj, but they will also be wary of the fiery African bowling attack.

Mohammed Siraj to Bjorn Fortuin, Leg bye! Just 3 runs off the final over, a brilliant finish from Mohammed Siraj. He bowls this on a hard length and angles it into the body. Bjorn Fortuin gets cramped for room as he looks for the pull. The ball hits the thigh pads and rolls away towards cover. They get a leg bye and South Africa finish with 278/7 on the board.

Bjorn Fortuin is the new man in.

Mohammed Siraj to Keshav Maharaj, OUT! TIMBER! What a final over this is turning out to be by Mohammed Siraj! Siraj bowls this quicker and fuller. The ball just tails in a bit from around the off pole. Keshav Maharaj backs away and looks to swing it hard across the line. The pace is just too much to handle for Maharaj and the ball goes on to knock the off stump out of the ground. Siraj picks up his third and this has been a brilliant fightback by India in the final few overs.

Mohammed Siraj to Keshav Maharaj, This is poor cricket from Keshav Maharaj. Slower and fuller, outside off, Maharaj tries to attempt the reverse-scoop over short third man but can't get bat on ball.

Mohammed Siraj to David Miller, Excellent bowling! Mohammed Siraj sees David Miller advancing and bowls a short ball, pushing it outside off as well. Miller has to drag the pull and only manages to hit it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.