The sixth and the final ODI of the ongoing series between India and South Africa is nothing more than a dead rubber. Both India and South Africa laid foundation stones to Mission 2019 ahead of the series. However, it was the young pacer Shardul Thakur who gave a phenomenal start to the men in blue in the final ODI.

Thakur became successful in scalping both the South African openers cheaply that too before the conclusion of the first powerplay.

In the 7th over of the match, Shardul picked up the dangerous looking Hashim Amla while Aiden Markram was dismissed in the final over of the first powerplay.

On the third bowl of the 7th over, Thakur has Amla strangled down the leg side Dug in short and angling down the leg side, Amla can’t quite control the pull because of the line. And he is late onto the shot. He would have been better off had he left it alone. Instead, he gloves it behind to Dhoni. Thakur roars ‘come on’ and celebrates a wicket on return.

Here is the video of Amla’s dismissal:

#ShardulThakur picks his first pic.twitter.com/tMcEb0OAVN

— Cric Shots Videos (@VideosShots) February 16, 2018

On the penultimate bowl of the first powerplay, Shardul took another, this time with the slower more offcut. Thakur’s Mumbai team-mate Iyer claims an outstanding overhead catch. He hangs on even as he tumbles onto the ground. Pitched up outside off, the change of pace does the SA captain in. He plays a long way in front of his body and scoops a drive to cover. Great catch from Iyer after the drops earlier in the series. Perfect way for India to round out the Powerplay:

Here is the video of Markram’s wickets:

#ShreyasIyer takes a stunner pic.twitter.com/LQqxmU1pWw

— Cric Shots Videos (@VideosShots) February 16, 2018