'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
South Africa defeated India by 5 wickets in the first one-day international of the 5-match series at the Green Park in Kanpur. Rohit Sharma’s heroic 150 runs while chasing a mammoth 304 runs target went in vain as the visitors came back in the game eventually after getting some quick important Indian wickets.
After giving a mammoth target to chase of 304 runs, the Proteas restricted India at 298 for the loss of 7 wickets. Former cricketers and other cricket fraternity reacted to the big defeat and took it to Twitter.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni: "The outcome was not great for us, there were quite a few things that went wrong, but I think we showed great character to fight on this wicket. We should have won the game. It was unfortunate that we lost Ashwin. He was bowling well. I was disappointed with the fast bowlers in the slog overs as there was plenty of reverse swing.
“Our batters made it look as if it was easy. I thought that partnership between Rohit and Rahane was very good. It was a bit difficult to bat out there as it did not come on nicely if the ball was banged short. We lost a bit of momentum from the 34th or the 35th over to the 40th or the 41st over.
“There were runs on offer, but we didn't hit the gaps. If we have two set batsmen towards the end, it becomes easy to put pressure on the opposition. It was a fantastic innings from Rohit. As I said, it was not easy and the fast bowlers were getting reverse swing and he made it look easy."
AB de Villiers: "I thought it was an amazing game of cricket. Close games like these bring the fans to the game. Credit to India as well for playing well. I am very happy that we came out on top. The momentum changed quite a few times today.
“I thought Imran Tahir's over first of all changed the game on its head and gave us a chance when we were out of it. The youngster (Rabada) is proving to be a handful and he has a bright future. It's a good start to the ODI series, but the momentum can change in a matter of seconds. So we will take one game at a time."
Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman said India can’t afford to lose too many games.
Tom Moody, former Australia player and Sri Lanka coach:
Sri Lanka’s Russel Arnold tweeted about the thriller finish and asked his followers to follow on the upcoming Sri Lanka vs West Indies series as well.
Spinner Murali Kartik:
Former cricketer and current cricketer Mpumelelo Mbangwa:
BCCI employee Shirin Sadikot:
The New Indian Express’ Editor Shekhar Gupta:
Senior journalist Rajdeep Sardesai:
Former Indian batsman Aakash Chopra:
English cricketer Ravi Bopara:
Brand-new app in a brand-new avatar! Download CricRocket for fast cricket scores, rocket flicks, super notifications and much more! 🚀☄️
