South Africa vs India 2018: 4 takeaways from the 2nd ODI

After defeating South Africa for the first time in Durban in the 1st ODI, India cruised past the Faf du Plessis-less side at Centurion. After bringing the hosts down for just 118 in 32.2 overs, their lowest ever total at SuperSport Park, India chased the small target with relative ease to take a 2-0 lead in the 6-match ODI series.

South Africa were never in the game and were completely destroyed by India's two wrist spinners. An already easy chase was made easier by a fifty from Shikhar Dhawan. With India finally gaining the upper hand in this series, we take a look at the takeaways from this match.

South Africa's batting struggles continue

This is the weakest South African batting lineup in years

If losing AB de Villiers for the first 3 ODIs wasn't bad enough for The Proteas, they lost their captain Faf du Plessis, their only fighting warrior from the 1st ODI, for the whole limited-overs series.

Quinton de Kock, their best batsman from India's last tour in 2013, has endured a long dry spell, which seems to be getting worse with every passing day. An inexperienced middle order, comprising the stand-in skipper Aiden Markram and debutant Khaya Zondo had no answer to the Indian spin bowlers.

Veterans JP Duminy and David Miller, who look rusty after not playing any international cricket for over two months, failed for the second consecutive game. Chris Morris and Hashim Amla looked comfortable but they both got out after scoring quick runs.

South African bowlers need to step up

South Africa are missing Dale Steyn

Once considered the best bowling line up in the world, the South African bowling lineup have struggled against India so far. While Indian wrist-spinners have taken 13 wickets so far in the two matches, Imran Tahir has gone wicketless in both matches.

The addition of Tabraiz Shamsi did not have any effect either as he too went wicketless in today's low scoring match. While Kagiso Rabada and Morne Morkel were at their best in the Test series, both have only managed to take 1 wicket. Clearly, South Africa are missing the services of both Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander.

Rohit Sharma's struggles in South Africa continue

Another disappointing performance by the Hitman

Rohit Sharma received a lot of criticism for his performance in the two Test matches he played, but everyone expected him to perform in the limited-overs series. However, in both the matches, Rohit disappointed.

Scoring 20 in the first match and 15 in the second, Rohit's abysmal run against The Proteas in South Africa continued. After 10 matches in South Africa, Rohit has a cumulative total of 121 runs, scored at an abysmal average of 13.45 and strike rate of nearly 60. Rohit needs a big performance in the next few matches to prove that he is just as good overseas as he is in India.

India are the best ODI team

These two took India to victory

Whether on Indian pitches or English, whether against South Africa or New Zealand, India put on a show in ODIs. The ODI series against South Africa was supposed to be the clash of the two best teams in the world. However, the Indian team, courtesy their all-round performance with both bat and ball, have completely owned South Africa.

Although the hosts are without their two main players, the Indian team have prevented them from even putting up a fight. Considering the way the Proteas were bowled out for their lowest total at Centurion, it won't be a shock if the visitors manage to win the series, something that has eluded them for 26 years.