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India's Batting Collapse: How the Last Few Overs Cost Them the Game

Irfan Pathan believes India lost the ODI because they didn't score enough runs at the death. Despite strong centuries from Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad, the innings lost momentum. South Africa chased down 359 thanks to Aiden Markram's brilliant hundred and a powerful middle-order performance. The series is now set for an exciting decider this weekend.

Key Points: Irfan Pathan Says India's Batting Cost Them South Africa ODI

  • Pathan criticizes India's batting slowdown, scoring only 74 runs in the final 10 overs
  • Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad set a strong platform with a 195-run partnership
  • South Africa chased 359 thanks to Aiden Markram's century and key middle-order stands
  • India's bowling, especially Prasidh Krishna's expensive spell, failed to defend the total
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Last few overs while batting cost the game: Irfan Pathan after India suffer four-wicket loss to South Africa

Irfan Pathan analyzes India's four-wicket loss to South Africa, pinpointing a batting slowdown in the final overs as the key reason for defeat.

"Last few overs while batting cost India the game. - Irfan Pathan"

Raipur, December 4

Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan has expressed his thoughts after the KL Rahul-led India suffered a four-wicket defeat against South Africa in Raipur on Wednesday.

Pathan said that India's batting in the last few overs cost the game. At one stage, Team India were 284/4 in 40 overs, and the stage was set to put a strong total on the board. However, South African bowlers bowled tight lines and conceded 74 runs in the last 10 overs as India reached 358/5 in 50 overs.

"Last few overs while batting cost India the game," the former Indian all-rounder wrote on X.

India was put to bat first at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur by the Proteas, who had the hosts down at 62/2 after dismissals of Rohit Sharma (14) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (22). Virat (102 in 93 balls, with seven fours and two sixes) and Ruturaj (105 in 83 balls, with 12 fours and two sixes) put on a 195-run stand for the third wicket, putting India in command.

Later, KL Rahul (66* in 43 balls, with seven fours and two sixes) and Ravindra Jadeja (24* in 27 balls, with two fours) finished off in style with a quickfire 69-run stand for the sixth wicket.

Marco Jansen (2/63) was the top bowler for the Proteas.

Proteas started off the chase with a flurry of boundaries, but they lost Quinton de Kock early. After that, skipper

Temba Bavuma (46 in 48 balls, with three fours and a six) and Markram had a 101-run stand. Markram struck his fourth ODI ton and first as an opener, scoring 110 in 98 balls, with 10 fours and four sixes.

Another partnership of 92 runs between Matthew Breetzke (68 in 64 balls, with five fours) and Dewald Brevis (54 in 34 balls, with a four and five sixes) changed the game in favour of the Proteas.

In the end, despite Nandre Burger and Tony de Zorzi's injuries making things easier for India, Keshav Maharaj (10*) and Corbin Bosch (25*) took SA to a memorable win with four wickets and four balls in hand.

Arshdeep Singh (2/54) was the top bowler for India, while Harshit Rana's (1/70) figures changed for the worse after one poor over. Prasidh Krishna's poor show, conceding 82 in 8.2 overs, was a massive point of difference in SA's win.

An exciting decider awaits on Saturday.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Virat and Ruturaj played brilliant knocks! But the bowling let us down badly. Prasidh Krishna giving away 82 runs... that's the real difference. We need to find better death bowlers. 😔
R
Rohit P
Respectfully disagree with Pathan sir. 358 is a winning total 9 times out of 10. The blame lies squarely with the bowling attack. No control in the middle overs and terrible death bowling. Prasidh's figures are unacceptable at this level.
S
Sarah B
What an incredible chase by South Africa! Brevis was sensational. Sometimes you just have to appreciate the opposition's performance. The decider on Saturday is going to be epic! 🏏
K
Karthik V
The problem is our approach. We get conservative after building a platform. Look at how SA batted - they kept attacking even after losing wickets. We need to change our mindset in the last 15 overs.
M
Michael C
KL Rahul's captaincy was questionable. Why was Prasidh given the ball for so long when he was getting hammered? Should have tried someone else. Field placements also seemed defensive during the SA partnership.
N
Neha E
Heartbreaking loss after such a good start! But chin

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