Ind vs SA | Shot Selection Has Been Poor, Bowlers Haven't Hit Right Areas: KL Rahul After India Suffers 0-3 Series Whitewash

KL Rahul, during post-match presser, said that it was disappointing to end up as losing side while pointing out that Indian batters' shot selection was poor and bowlers did not hit right areas.

Team India's Star Batter KL Rahul, Pic Courtesy: @BCCI / Twitter

New Delhi: A fiery cameo from Deepak Chahar (54) and fifties from Shikhar Dhawan (61) and Virat Kohli (65) went in vain after the Indian cricket team suffered a 4 run loss against South Africa at Newlands Cricket Ground on Saturday. With a win in the third and final ODI, Proteas attained a 3-0 white-wash over the visitors.

India's stand-in skipper KL Rahul, during the post-match presser, said that it was disappointing to end up as a losing side while pointing out that at times Indian batters' shot selection was poor and the bowlers did not hit the right areas consistently.

"Deepak Chahar gave us a real chance of winning the game. Quite an exciting game, just disappointed we ended up on the losing side. We gave ourselves a real chance, something we can learn from and get better. Quite obvious where we've gone wrong. No shying away from it," said Rahul at the post-match presentation, ANI reported. 

"At times our shot selection has been poor. Even with the ball, we haven't been hitting the right areas consistently. Have played well in patches but haven't built pressure over a long period. Can't fault the boys for their passion and effort. In terms of skill and understanding the situation - sometimes we've gone wrong. But it happens - we've got some new guys in the team. In the one-day series at times we've kept doing the same mistakes. It's early in our journey to the World Cup. We can go back, have some hard conversations," he added.

Earlier, team India won the toss and invited the hosts to bat first on a tricky pitch. Quinton de Kock (124) and Rassie van der Dussen (52) stitched a solid 144-run partnership for the fourth-wicket to put a mammoth 288-run target against India.

Team India entered the ODI series following the 2-1 Test series loss against Proteas after which Virat Kohli stepped down as India's Test captain. India will now take on West Indies in a home series, consisting of three T20Is and as many as ODIs.