India are hosting South Africa in the 2nd ODI of the three-match series in Ranchi. After losing the series opener, the pressure is on the home team to make a winning return as a defeat here will see them lose the series. Going into the 2nd ODI, the Men in Blue were always expected to make a change in the playing XI.
Shikhar Dhawan announced two big changes at the toss and dropped Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ravi Bishnoi. Both the youngsters made their debuts in the series opener. They were replaced by spin-bowling all-rounders Washington Sundar and Shahbaz Ahmed.
Ruturaj had made his much-awaited debut in the first ODI and the Twitterati was shocked by his omission. Yes, the youngster did struggle in the series opener and only managed 19 off 42. But South Africa’s new-ball pace attack was too hot to handle for every Indian batter and the top-order batsmen struggled on that track. Check out some reactions to Ruturaj’s exclusion from the playing XI –
Ruturaj came out to bat after India lost the early wicket of Shubman Gill. The right-handed batsman was bowled by Kagiso Rabada for 3. He was soon followed by Shikhar Dhawan, who managed 4 off 16.
Ruturaj and Ishan batted together for 11.3 overs and added 40 runs for the 3rd wicket. Courtesy of half-centuries from Sanju Samson and Shreyas Iyer, India came close to a win but fell short by 9 runs in the 40-over game.
Talking of the ongoing fixture, the visitors opted to bat first after winning the toss. They are three down for 169 and will aim to register a total of over 300. Mohammed Siraj has been the pick of the bowlers and has dismissed 2 batsmen. Shahbaz got the big wicket of Janneman Malan for 25 off 31.
