Jadeja the difference as India sneak thriller Print E-mail
Category: Match Reports
Written by Luke Tagg   
Sunday, 21 February 2010 22:08
Ravi "Rock Star" Jadeja showed why he is held in such high esteem by his Rajasthan Royals captain Shane Warne by bowling a 10-over spell from hell to sneak India home in the first ODI against South Africa in Jaipur.

In a match marred by ODI rustiness on both sides, Jadeja's 2/29 in 10 overs was the telling difference after India won the game by one run off the last ball.

Last-minute batting heroics by Dale Steyn and Wayne Parnell almost won the game against all odds for South Africa, but ultimately they were left to rue some horrendous shots by their top order which placed too much pressure on the lower order and captain Jacques Kallis.

An imposing total of 298 was always going to be difficult to chase down under lights, but on a good batting deck it was eminently possible.

The Proteas struggled with the extra zip created by dew on the pitch, however, and were unable to adapt to the skiddy, low bounce and direct-at-the-stumps bowling of Jadeja, who picked up the momentum-halting wickets of Herschelle Gibbs and AB de Villiers.

Neither team dominated the other - they were about as even as it gets. Neither side batted particularly well, India was better with the ball and South Africa better in the field.

Although it was Jadeja who came away with two wickets, the accolades and the Man of the Match award, the Indian bowlers in general bowled a far more sensible line and length than the South Africans.

To prove my point, all of India's batsmen got out either caught or run out. Six of South Africa's batsmen got out bowled or lbw, however, indicating a much tighter line and length by India's bowlers.

Don't take my word for it - these are the respective pitch maps. The difference in groupings is nothing short of astonishing:

India Innings (all bowlers to all batsmen in India's innings)

India innings, 1st ODI, Jaipur

South Africa innings (all bowlers to all batsmen in South Africa's innings)

South Africa innings, 1st ODI, Jaipur

As you can see, the South Africans were clueless when it came to the correct line and length. If the ball is short and wide you can hit it with impunity. If the ball is directed at the stumps from back of a length, you have to keep yourself in check.

South Africa's batsmen didn't keep themselves in check - both AB de Villiers and Loots Bosman got out trying to cut balls that were in line with the stumps. Shiver me timbers.

India will be well pleased with the win but worried about the way South Africa's tailenders tore them apart at the death. They should never have come as close as they did.

South Africa will be pleased with their never-say-die attitude and exceptional fielding but worried about the inability of their top order to create meaningful partnerships.

Great game; fair result. On to the next.

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