• South Africa defeated India in the first ODI by nine runs.

  • Lungi Ngidi returned with impressive figures of 8-0-52-3.

Twitter reactions: Sanju Samson’s blistering knock goes in vain as South Africa beat India in Lucknow ODI
South Africa beat India in 1st ODI (Image Source: Twitter)

South Africa started off the ODI series against India in grand style, registering a thrilling win in the opening ODI, which was reduced to 40 overs per side due to rain at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Thursday.

After being asked to bat first, the tourists started well but were troubled eventually by Indian bowlers losing four wickets for 110 in 22.2 overs.

However, David Miller and Heinrich Klassen took charge and slammed unbeaten half-centuries to steady the ship. Miller (75 not out off 63 balls) and Klassen (74 not out off 65 balls) formed a remarkable stand of 139 runs off 106 balls to take the team’s total to 249/4 in 40 overs.

In response, the hosts were in a spot of bother, losing four wickets for just 51 in 17.4 overs. Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson then partnered to take their side out of the hot waters.

Iyer smashed a comeback half-century to put India in control, scoring 50 off 37 balls before Lungi Ngidi got rid of him. Samson, however, kept the scoreboard ticking and formed another vital stand with Shardul Thakur.

The duo added 93 runs for the sixth wicket and took India close before the visitors came back and picked up three wickets in quick succession.

The contest went down to the wire, and the equation reached India needing 30 runs in the final over. Samson tried his best but could only manage to score 20 as India fell nine runs short. The wicketkeeper-batter remained unbeaten at 86 off 63 balls with the help of nine fours and three sixes.

Here is how Twitter reacted:

https://twitter.com/FarziCricketer/status/1578071678760148992

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