The Indian team has started well on their chase of 297 set up by hots South Africa in the first match of the three-match ODI series being played at the Boland Park in Paarl. The team has so far lost only one wicket and reached the 100 run mark with a settled Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan at the crease and more than 30 overs remaining to chase down the target.
Dhawan, who is playing for the first time in the Indian side after the Sri Lanka tour with the second string side in August, started solidly and has kept on striking the ball well ever since. He lost his opening partner and Indian skipper, KL Rahul, as the right-hander was caught by Quinton de Kock behind the stumps off the bowling of part-timer Aiden Markram.
While the opening pair of Dhawan and Rahul added 46 in 49 balls, the partnership between Kohli and Dhawan is now 56 runs strong and it has come off just 63 balls and the men in blue look determined to chase down the 297 run target. Dhawan is batting at 64 off 65 balls while Kohli is at 24 off 32 balls. This was Dhawan's 34th ODI fifty.
A drinks break was taken at the end of the 19th over and at the time Indian score read 102-1. South Africa is yet to introduce their ace Tabrazi Shamsi in the bowling attack.