SA vs IND 2nd ODI: Tony de Zorzi’s magnificent 119 helps South Africa level series with 8-wicket win

Tony de Zorzi’s magnificent 119 and Nandre Burger’s bowling performance helped South Africa level the series against India with a comprehensive win in Gqeberha on December 19.

In what was a role reversal from the first ODI, the Proteas dominated the visitors and beat them by eight wickets on the day.

After opting to field first, South Africa never allowed India to dictate terms. Sai Sudharsan and KL Rahul scored half-centuries, but they did not get much semblance of support from the others. On the back of their knocks, India huffed and puffed their way to 211 in 46.2 overs.

Ruturaj Gaikwad failed in back-to-back matches after Nandre Burger accounted for his wicket. Burger was the pick of the bowlers for the Proteas after he also dismissed Tilak Varma and KL Rahul to finish with impressive figures of 10-0-30-3.

Sai Sudharsan was impressive once again for India as he scored his second consecutive fifty on the day and scored 62 off 83 balls to stabilise the Indian innings alongside KL Rahul. The Indian skipper was circumspect early in his knock before he started playing shots.

However, Williams provided the much-needed brakthrough in the form of Sudharsan’s wicket, which brought the hosts back into the game. Sanju Samson, though he started off with promise by scoring a boudnary, struggled to get going in the tough conditions and was cleaned up by Williams for 12 off 23 balls.

Rinku Singh, making his ODI debut on Tuesday, started off brilliantly and appeared to have launched a counter-attack against the Proteas, but Rahul’s wicket derailed the momentum of the Indian innings massively.

Rinku would follow soon as he was stumped off the bowling of Maharaj for 17. At one point in time, India were in danger of getting bowled out for a score less than 200. But Arshdeep Singh threw his bat around to score 18 off 17 with a four and a six.

In the end, the visitors were bowled out for just 211 runs, with Burger picking up three wickets.

The chase by South Africa had a cautious start from De Zorzi and Reeza Hendricks scored 39 off the first 10 overs. However, the opening duo would kick on with De Zorzi being the aggressor in the partnership.

Both men would put the chase well in control of the Proteas and would end up getting to their fifties as the partnership went past 100.

De Zorzi and Hendricks would break the record for the highest first wicket partnership in Port Elizabeth as they put on 130 before Arshdeep got the breakthrough in the form of Hendricks’ wicket. De Zorzi would continue his fine performance and quickly raced past the 80-run mark and into the nineties.

He was joined by Rassie van der Dussen, who was quick to make amends for his duck in the first ODI, and played some delightful shots to keep the pressure on the Indian bowlers. De Zorzi would hit a six and a single to reach 99 and a double got him to his maiden hundred off just 109 balls.

From there, De Zorzi and Van der Dussen got the hosts close to the target before Rinku Singh decided to have some fun. The Indian batter got the wicket of Van der Dussen off his second ball, much to the delight of the fans.

De Zorzi would finish the game off with a six off Sai’s bowling to seal the deal and level the series for the home side.

South Africa and India will play the series decider on December 21.