Virat Kohli credits his wife Anushka Sharma for his phenomenal success after India won the sixth ODI against South Africa on Friday.
Virat Kohli thanked his wife Anushka Sharma for his phenomenal success after India defeated South Africa in the sixth and final ODI on Friday.
Kohli's 35th ODI hundred helped India make light work of South Africa's total of 204 batting first. This was the 29-year-old's third ton of the series, guiding his team to a stunning 5-1 series victory.
Speaking to former South African captain Shaun Pollock during the presentation ceremony after the match at the Supersport Park in Centurion, Kohli said a lot of credit for his success has to go to people who are close to him off the field.
"People who contribute off the field they deserve a lot of credit as well. My wife, who keeps me motivated deserves, a lot of credit. She has been criticised a lot but she kept pushing me," said Kohli.
Set a target of 205, India stormed to victory in the 33rd over with eight wickets left. The star of the chase, of course, was Kohli. The right-hander remained unbeaten 129 off 96. His knock was studded with 19 fours and two sixes.
Earlier, Shardul Thakur bagged a four-wicket haul as India bundled out South Africa for 204 runs in the dead-rubber sixth ODI. After being asked to bat first, South Africa made a slow start to their innings, losing stand-in captain Aiden Markram and opener Hashim Amla lowly for 24 and 10 runs, respectively off Thakur's deliveries.
However, Khaya Zondo subsequently steadied the innings for the home side as he shared a crucial 62-run stand with first drop AB de Villiers for the third wicket to save his side's bushes.
Soon after scoring his maiden half-century, Zondo (54) was dismissed by Yuzvendra Chahal before the Indian bowler clean bowled de Villiers (30). Thakur then bagged his third wicket when he dismissed Farhaan Behardien (one) while Jasprit Bumrah scalped Heinrich Klaasen (22) in the 31st over.
Subsequently, Andile Phehlukwayo and Morne Morkel scored 34 and 20 respectively before the home side were bundled out for 204 runs in 46.5 overs. Thakur finished with the figures of four for 52 in South Africa's innings followed by Bumrah's figures of two for 24.
Chahal ended the innings with two wickets and conceding 38 runs, while Kuldeep Yadav and Hardik Pandya chipped in with a wicket each.
An upbeat India, who had earlier scripted a history in South Africa with an unprecedented series win following a 73-run win in the fourth ODI, are looking to end the series with a 5-1 win heading into the match. Meanwhile, South Africa are playing for pride and aiming to end the ODI series on a winning note.
(Inputs from ANI)
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