IND vs SA, 1st ODI: Shikhar Dhawan lauds Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson and Shardul Thakur's effort with bat
India Today
India captain Shikhar Dhawan heaped praise on Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson and Shardul Thakur for their efforts with the bat in the first ODI against South Africa. India suffered a 9-run defeat at the hands of South Africa.
India captain Shikhar Dhawan praised the "tremendous" effort by Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson and Shardul Thakur in the first ODI against South Africa in Lucknow on Thursday, October 6.
The trio kept India's hopes alive during the run-chase in the rain-affected 40-over match. But with the asking run rate creeping up and Samson left alone towards the end, India suffered a nine-run defeat in the first of the three-match series.
"Very proud of the way the boys played," Dhawan said in the post-match presentation. "It's tremendous the way Shreyas, Samson and Shardul played."
Dhawan, however, criticised the fielding of the new-look India as the dropped chances helped South Africa set a 250-run target, which the India captain termed too many runs.
"I thought 250 was too many runs, because the wicket had turn and seam. Even fielding-wise, we leaked a few runs; but it'll be a good experience and learning for the young boys"
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma also acknowledged Sanju Samson's effort, saying: "A good fight at the end, obviously Sanju pushed us at the end, but the boys stood firm and took us to the win."
India had a horrendous start while chasing the 250-run target. Openers Shubman Gill and Shikhar Dhawan fell cheaply before South Africa added to India's misery, with both Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan failing to recover the hosts following an early collapse.
