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THE TIMES OF INDIA | Dec 21, 2023, 14:20:05 IST
IND vs SA live score update today match live score cricket With a similar storyline of faltering opening combination running through the first two matches, India's hopes of registering their second ODI series triumph in South Africa will revolve around a sturdy start from the openers in the third and final match at Paarl on Thursday. India's lone ODI series win in the Rainbow nation came in 2018, and for an encore they require a robust beginning from Ruturaj Gaikwad and B Sai Sudharsan as a pair. The top order batters can draw some solace from the Boland Park pitch, which often tends to lean towards batsmen. The Port Elizabeth pitch had a bit of uneven bounce on it, particularly in the first innings, but the Paarl deck often offers true bounce and carry, helping batters to free their arms and go through the shots without any inhibitions.
IND VS SA Live: Openers key for India
It is important for Gaikwad and Varma, unless he is replaced with uncapped Rajat Patidar for the match, to rediscover their range because India no longer have Shreyas Iyer in the middle-order to shore up the innings
India vs South Africa Live: Out of form Tilak Varma
Tilak Varma, who packs a punch struggled to touch his peak in the home T20I series against Australia and the struggle seemed to have followed him to South Africa as well
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IND VS SA Live:Tilak Varma needs a reboot
Similarly, Tilak Varma, who showed some early promise in his career, seemed to have tapered off a bit in the last couple of months
India vs South Africa Live: South Africa openers
In contrast, South African openers Tony de Zorzi, who cracked his maiden century, and Reeza Hendricks milked 130 runs to kill the chase
IND VS SA Live: The first two ODIs
The right-hander fell for five and four as India's first-wicket alliance ended at 23 and four at Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth
India vs South Africa Live: India openers
Sai Sudharsan has been impressive in his two outings in the series so far, notching up 55 and 62. But Gaikwad could not support him from the other end
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