'What a start for defending champions' - Twitter praises India Legends as they beat South Africa Legends to kick off the second season of the Road Safety World Series

India and South Africa Legends locked horns in the inaugural game of the Road Safety World Series 2022 in Kanpur. The defending champions (India) won the toss and elected to bat first. They had a good start as openers, Sachin Tendulkar and Naman Ojha scored 46 runs in just 5.2 overs. The former was the first wicket to fall after scoring 16 against Makhaya Ntini.

Ojha (21) followed in the next over as he became the victim of van der Wath. At 52/2, Suresh Raina and former India all-rounder, Stuart Binny joined hands. Both players stitched a partnership of 64 runs. Raina scored 33 off just 22 balls including four fours and a six before getting out to Eddie Leie. Yuvraj Singh (6), who came out to bat after Raina's wicket couldn't make any impact.

At 127/4 in 14.3 overs, Binny and Yusuf Pathan stitched an unbeaten partnership of 88 runs. The former scored 82 off 42 balls including five fours and six sixes. On the other hand, Pathan scored 35 of 15 balls including a four and four sixes. The duo's contribution with the bat ensured the team reach 217/4 at the end of the innings.

South Africa Legends didn't even come close

In reply, the Proteas had a decent start as openers Morne van Wyk and Andrew Puttick scored 43 runs in six overs. The former was the first wicket to fall on the last ball of the powerplay. He was trapped lbw by recently retired Rahul Sharma. The slow start to the innings increased the pressure of catching up with the required run rate. The Green Brigade kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Six batters couldn't cross the double-digit mark with three batters bagging a duck.

Talking about the Blue Brigade's bowling, Rahul Sharma took three wickets. On the other hand, Munaf Patel and Pragyan Ojha took two each while Irfan Pathan and Yuvraj Singh took one each. The bowlers helped the team restrict the opposition on 156/9, winning the game by 61 runs.

This is how Twitter reacted

What a start for defending champions India Legends. A true dominance with the bat and ball. #INDLvsSAL

— Anubhav shahi 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 (@Anubhavshahi48) September 11, 2022

Happy to see him Bat after a long time 😍 Not in Same flow but Master need just 1 or 2 more game to back to his Best #SachinTendulkar #INDLvsSAL #RoadSafetyWorldSeries2022 pic.twitter.com/iPTknmBe2w

— Karthick KR (@Karthick01988) September 10, 2022

@IrfanPathan Bhai Jaan !! Kya bowled mara kal #RSWS match mein. Swing abhi bhi barkaraar hai 👏👏👏👏

— Abhinav Saurabh (@Abhinav_Saurabh) September 11, 2022

India Legends beat South Africa Legends by 61 runs in the first match of RSWS 2022.

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 10, 2022

India Legends won by 61 runs against South Africa Legends in 1st Match of #RoadSafetyWorldSeries2022

For India: Stuart Binny 82*(42), Yusuf Pathan 35*(15), Suresh Raina 32, Rahul Sharma 3/17, Patel 2/24,Irfan 1/29, Ojha 2/32, Yuvraj 1/7 #CricketTwitter #RSWS

— Niche Sports (@Niche_Sports) September 10, 2022

Suresh Raina 🥺💞😍🔥
In side out 😍@SureshRainaFanC @trendRaina @rainabestshots @Chinnathala13@SureshRaina_fp #Raina #RSWS #StuartBinny #SachinTendulkar #ENGvsSA #ViratKohli #RohitSharma #YuvrajSingh pic.twitter.com/q4VJOLaVxz

— ठाकुर मोहित सिंह नेगी 🚩🙏 (@5MohitSinghNegi) September 10, 2022

What a knock by Stuart Binny - 82* (42). A wonderful start to the Road Safety World Series. pic.twitter.com/KQDr6xdBRt

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 10, 2022

🇮🇳🇿🇦 WE WON! Thanks to Stuart Binny's outstanding batting & Rahul Sharma's brilliant bowling, India Legends started the Road Safety World Series 2022 with a victory yesterday.

📸 RSWS • #INDLvSAL #RoadSafetyWorldSeries #YehJungHaiLegendary #TeamIndia #BharatArmy pic.twitter.com/XM1eLjBp1o

— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) September 11, 2022

India Legends beat South Africa legends by 61 runs in Road Safety World series. What a win by India, dominating performance by India.

— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) September 10, 2022

Sachin Tendulkar in action#sachin #SachinTendulkar #LegendsLeagueCricket #IndiaLegends #RoadSafetyWorldSeries2022 @mohsinaliisb pic.twitter.com/CimxmF7Rr9

— abhijeet Gautam (@gautamabhijeet1) September 10, 2022