The three-match ODI series between India and South Africa got underway on Thursday, October 6 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. The Indian fielders had a poor day on the field, as South Africa put on a competitive score on the board, after being asked to bat first by Shikhar Dhawan.
The first ODI was off to a delayed start due to rain and was reduced to a 40-overs each side match. During the final overs of the first innings, Indian fielders let down their bowling unit with sloppy effort. In the 38th over bowled by Avesh Khan, Mohammed Siraj and Ravi Bishnoi dropped catches off successive deliveries. In the same over, another fumble resulted in a boundary.
https://twitter.com/Richard10719932/status/1578014944724803586?s=20&t=qtKsP_8cbLR6PEu8mFrHKA
Soon after, David Miller hit Avesh Khan for a six over the deep mid-wicket region. The ball boy, who was beyond the boundary came into the spotlight, as he caught the ball superbly, leaving the commentators and the fans surprised.
https://twitter.com/Richard10719932/status/1578015040480825344?s=20&t=p9guyZLWqD4mCjnuVD0JnA
The effort of the Indian fielders left the bowler, Avesh Khan disappointed. The fans also took to social media to criticize India’s fielding.
Let’s take a look at how the fans reacted to India’s fielding effort in the first ODI against South Africa:
Our catching reaching that stage where making fun of Pakistan's fielding is out of option.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) October 6, 2022
By some distance the best fielding by an Indian in that over by Avesh Khan. #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/csgcPSTz79
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) October 6, 2022
This is very concerning about team India's fielding now. First senior main team and now young team in this ODI match drops many catches and leaking runs. This is serious concern, hope India will rectify this soon.
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) October 6, 2022
Pathetic fielding from India.Fielding has become worse for india. Even ball boys are catching better than our fielders 😢
#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/f5tBUzCd9p— saisharann29 (@ASaisharan29) October 6, 2022
Watching India's fielding!!! I'm dead!! 🥀💀⚰ pic.twitter.com/K1a2q8zPXK
— Rukhsar Shafi (@rukhsarshafi58) October 6, 2022
The number of times India are misfielding these days is baffling. Players just not doing the basic execution right. Can't fault a fielding coach, most of the drills are same regardless of the name.
— KASHISH (@crickashish217) October 6, 2022
On any other day, Avesh would have easily ended up with three wickets.
Horrible fielding from India.. absolutely woeful#CricketTwitter
— Anuj Nitin Prabhu (@APTalksCricket) October 6, 2022
India Fielding worst #INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/2jxNdB3Sby
— NANI (@NAVINVJY) October 6, 2022
What terrible fielding by india!
— Gautam Govitrikar DMD (@Gautaamm) October 6, 2022
https://twitter.com/trishank_vk/status/1578015155417333762?s=20&t=cZ-GUhX6exZ-EjdoTdyOoQ
Team India's fielding today … #siraj #IndiavsSouthAfrica #INDvssa pic.twitter.com/Rb8hnu4y9Y
— jay (@jay_7882) October 6, 2022
India loses both openers early chasing 250 runs
Team India skipper Shikhar Dhawan and his opening partner Shubman Gill were dismissed early by South Africa in the first ODI at Lucknow. Gill was the first to depart as Rabada cleaned him up for just three runs off seven deliveries. Soon Dhawan walked back to the hut for four runs, off Wayne Parnell’s delivery.
Left-handed batter Ishan Kishan joined Ruturaj Gaikwad at the crease for India. The hosts are 34 for two wickets in thirteen overs, needing 215 more runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
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