India lost a very close ODI game to South Africa yesterday. The margin was only 9 runs in the end.
Sanju Samson got his tactics wrong because of which India lost the game.
He came in the 18th over for the hosts when India was reeling at 51/4.
With Shreyas Iyer, Samson stitched a partnership of 67 from 54 balls.
After the departure of Iyer for a well-made 50 from 37 balls, Samson became the dominant partner in the innings.
Along with Shardul Thakur, Samson created a partnership of 93 from 65 balls for the sixth wicket.
Things were going well for India at one stage where they could have easily won the game had Shardul not been caught off the bowling of Lungi Ngidi in the 38th over. The latter scored 33 runs.
It now depended on Sanju to bring India home by hitting boundaries off the last two overs. He tried his very best and kept India in the hunt for a win.
But, there was not much support left for the batter as Kuldeep Yadav and Avesh Khan fell cheaply to the South African bowlers.
Ravi Bishnoi got a fluke four off Kagiso Rabada’s no-ball but that was not sufficient to take India home.
With India needing 30 off the final over of Tabraiz Shamsi, Sanju showed full power as he struck the leggie for three fours and a six but still 11 runs were needed off the last ball.
India took a single and ultimately lost the match by 9 runs with Samson remaining unbeaten on 86 off 63.
He could have used his tactics with a bit more planning and ensured a win for India in the first ODI but nevertheless, it was a fantastic knock from him.
For more updates, follow us on Twitter.
