LUCKNOW: Despite a valiant knock by Malayali star Sanju Samson (86 not out off 63 balls), India lost to South Africa by 9 runs in a 40-over rain-truncated match at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. Chasing a target of 250 runs, India managed to score 240 runs with a loss of 8 wickets. With this defeat, Shikhar Dhawan led India now trailing the Proteas 0-1 in the three-match ODI series.

Chasing a massive 250-run target in 40 overs, Team India was struggling at 51/4 in 17.4 overs when Sanju came to the crease. India was able to put up a fight thanks to the knocks of Sanju Samson (86*), Shreyas Iyer (50) and Shardul Thakur (33). Sanju hit nine fours and three sixes in his innings. This is his highest individual score in ODIs.

Earlier in the day, the South African team was sent in to bat by Indian skipper Shikhar Dhawan. South Africa was able to put up a total of 249/4 in their 40 overs, thanks to the 139-run partnership between David Miller (75 not out) and Heinrich Klaasen (74 not out).

Brief scores: South Africa 249/4 in 40 overs (David Miller 75, Heinrich Klaasen 74; Shardul Thakur 2/35) vs India 240/8 (Sanju Samson 86*, Shreyas Iyer 50; Lungi Ngidi 3/52, Kagiso Rabada 2/36).