India VS South Africa ODI: Was the 39th over a problem for India in the first ODI?

What looked like an easy win for Proteas became a pain for their bowlers. Reducing India to 51/4 in 17.4 overs, they were in an accelerating gear. Still, the batting support from Shreyas Iyer, Shardul Thakur, and India's current favourite batter- Sanju Samson, took India almost to the winning line.

"Quite proud of the way the boys played the game, we didn't get a good start, but the way Shreyas, Samson, and Shardul batted was excellent," skipper Shikhar Dhawan.

Over 39 - Could a single by Avesh Khan have changed the game?

38 runs were required in 12 balls; Sanju Samson was hot in form but standing on the non-striker end at 67*, and the new batter Avesh Khan had to face Kagiso Rabada. Looking at the equation, Avesh Khan had to rotate the strike and give the strike to Sanju Samson.

But he probably had other plans. He tried swinging the bat hard on every ball, wishing to send the ball over ropes. It certainly did not happen. He hit a ball in the air, which was dropped, but Sanju Samson still didn't get the strike.  

Avesh Khan finally got out on the second last ball. From 38 runs in 12 balls, India now needed 36 in seven balls, leaving Sanju Samson to pull off an impossible heist.

A strong claim by Sanju Samson

When Sanju Samson didn't get the call for the T20I World Cup, fans were highly disappointed. Twitter was flooded with disappointment. There were fans outside team India's bus during the T20I series against South Africa chanting Sanju Samsons's name. But after the performance of 86(63)* from Sanju Samson in the first ODI, he has made a strong claim on his position for team India.  

Temba Bavuma - "It was a great fightback by Sanju Samson."

Ian Bishop said, "Not the desired result for his team. But happy for Sanju Samson - 86, not out. The highest ODI score will give him great belief and confidence going forward."

"Top class from Sanju Samson, very aggressive, very impressive, you deserve the applause!! @IamSanjuSamson" - Mohammad Kaif

Man with golden arm- Shardul Thakur

He is always there whenever needed. With bat or ball, he is always in front performing for India. His capabilities of taking wickets at a crucial time and breaking partnerships have awakened cricket fans.

"Trust Lord Thakur to break the partnership", wrote his IPL team Delhi Capitals, on Twitter.

In the first ODI, South Africa was prosperous in not letting any wicket fall. Mohammed Siraj and Avesh Khan kept things tight but remained wicketless. But that's when Shardul Thakur came in and took two wickets putting India in the driving seat.

While his figure of 2-35 helped India in the first innings, his score of 33(31) in the second innings, which had five boundaries, helped Sanju Samson build a 93-run partnership for the sixth wicket bringing India from 118/5 to 211/6, eventually leaving India to chase 40 from 15 balls.