Ind vs SA 1st ODI | Gave away too many runs, fielding wasn't great: Dhawan

While the Indian bowlers conceded 54 runs in the last five overs, the hosts were also guilty of dropping as many as four catches in the outfield

India captain Shikhar Dhawan admitted that his team leaked too many runs in the death overs and fielded poorly, leading to the nine-run defeat to South Africa in the rain-hit first ODI here on Thursday.

Opting to bowl in the rain-curtailed 40-over-a-side game, India had reduced South Africa to 110 for 4 in 22.4 overs but David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen powered the visitors to 249 for 4.

While the Indian bowlers conceded 54 runs in the last five overs, the hosts were also guilty of dropping as many as four catches in the outfield.

"I thought 250 was too many runs. We gave away too many runs on a wicket that swung and spun, the fielding wasn't great, we leaked a few runs but this was a good learning experience for us," Dhawan said in the post-match presentation.

South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma said his bowlers lost a bit in the middle overs with Sanju Samson (86 not out) going great guns but he was happy that they managed to hold their nerves in the end.

"A good fight at the end, obviously Sanju pushed us at the end, but the boys stood firm and took us to the win," he said.

"Bowling upfront was good, in the first 15 overs by KG and Parnell. I thought we lost our way in the middle overs, gave away far too many runs, but at the end, the result did go our way and I'm happy with that."