Gave away more runs, fielding not great: Dhawan

Indian captain Shikhar Dhawan admitted that his team leaked too many runs in the death overs and fielded poorly. A nine-run loss to South Africa It rained in the first ODI here on Thursday.

Opting to bowl in 40 overs due to rain, India bowled out South Africa for 110 for 4 in 22.4 overs as David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen took the visitors to 249 for 4.

While the Indian bowlers conceded 54 runs in the last five overs, the hosts dropped four catches in the outfield.

“I thought 250 was too many runs. We gave away too many runs on a swing and spin wicket, the fielding was not great, we leaked a few runs, but it was a good learning experience for us,” Dhawan said. Post match performance.

South African captain Temba Bawuma said his bowlers lost a bit in the middle overs but were happy that they managed to hold their nerve in the end as Sanju Samson (86 not out) was brilliant.

“A good fight at the end, Sanju pushed us at the end, but the boys stood firm and took us to victory,” he said.

“KG and Parnell bowled well first in the first 15 overs. I thought we lost our way in the middle overs, gave away too many runs, but in the end, the result went our way and I’m happy with that.”

Talking about his team’s batting, Bawuma said: “We lost two wickets in the middle overs, myself and Aiden (Markram), but the boys chipped away.

“Miller and Klaasen played positively, got the partnership together and took us to a good score.” Heinrich Klaasen, who was adjudged player of the match for his unbeaten 74 off 65 balls, said it was a difficult wicket to bat on.

Asked if the conditions were easy for batting, Klaasen said, “Not at all, the ball was moving and spinning a lot before I got to the middle.

“But we worked hard in the nets, I have a good record against India and am looking forward to the rest of the games.”

Keshav Maharaj, who took one wicket for 23 runs, said the partnership between Miller and Klaasen was the turning point of the match.

“I thought Heinrich (Klassen) came in and absorbed (the pressure) really well and David (Miller) hit the ball brilliantly and exploded at the back end and I think that was the difference between us and the Indian team. Partnership till the end.

“We’re making sure we’re doing the right things and hopefully we’ll put in more performances heading into the World Cup.”

India and South Africa will face each other in the second ODI in Ranchi on Sunday.