Centuries from Rassie van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma helped South Africa ease to a 31-run win and pick up 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series in Paarl today. The pair made 204 for the fourth wicket and helped the hosts post 297. There were half-centuries for Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli in the chase but India eventually ran out of steam, despite Shardul Thakur’s maiden ODI half-century.South Africa were 68 for 3 at one stage when van der Dussen joined Bavuma at the crease. India were on top and were looking to tighten the screws with R Ashwin in good rhythm. Janneman Malan looked all at sea against Jasprit Bumrah while Quinton de Kock struggled his way to 27 off 41. Aiden Markram was run out for 3 to give India an early upper hand.On the day, van der Dussen established himself as the enforcer and allowed Bavuma to play his game. Early in the innings, van der Dussen was scratchy at best. He poked and missed, and somehow also managed to keep Ashwin at bay. That van der Dussen was able to get going was also largely due to Yuzvendra Chahal’s inability to contain on a track with some help for the spinners.
