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Xtra Time Web Desk: Team India on Wednesday started off with a promising partnership against South Africa in the 1st ODI, going after a chase of 297 runs with Dhawan and Kohli scoring a 92 run partnership for the 2nd wicket, eventually in a losing cause.

But the Indian innings plunged after Kohli's departure to go from 152/3 to 214/8 and eventually fell short of the South African total by 31 runs.

After India's defeat in the 1st ODI against South Africa Sanjay Manjrekar opened up on how he wanted Suryakumar Yadav to be included in the team saying that the middle-order looked a bit short on batting.

"I've maintained that India's middle-order looked a little short on batting when you have somebody like a Rishabh Pant batting at 5 and a Venky Iyer in a very unfamiliar role. You know, for a newcomer to bat down at No. 6 on a pitch that's going to be dry and getting slow further. There wasn't much of a threat down the order so I thought they should have made a place for somebody like Suryakumar Yadav... I guess a few little tweaks will have to be done to make sure that the middle looks a little more wholesome," Manjrekar told ESPNcricinfo.

Yadav made his first debut in the ODI against Sri Lanka in July last year was pipped by Shreyas after the team management went with the youngster for the No. 5 batting spot.

Manjrekar further added, "Just far too many runs to chase, especially in a day game where the pitch wasn't going the get easier for the batters chasing and the ball wasn't going to get wet because of the dew... There was some hope at the start but somebody had to carry the bat through the innings. Shikhar Dhawan got out after being set, Virat Kohli as well. It was always going to be difficult... I think India lost the game when they allowed the opposition to go beyond 250."

India's middle order looked a little short : Manjrekar rues team selection for the 1st ODI loss