share
28746F
Home » Live Cricket Score » India in South Africa, 6 ODI Series, 2018 » commentary

South Africa vs India Live Commentary, 6th ODI, India in South Africa, 6 ODI Series, 2018, February 16, 2018

SA 204/10 (46.5)
India beat South Africa by 8 wickets
IND 206/2 (32.1)
Match over
South Africa Inning India Inning
0.0 : The ODI series is done and dusted but we have the formalities to complete. We welcome you to the 6th and final game at the SuperSport Park, Centurion. With the series already in the bag, Virat Kohli has already leaked out the news to test the bench strength and it will be interesting to see who they bring in.
South Africa, on the other hand, have been hit by too many injuries due to which we have got to witness lopsided games. With Amla getting back to runs and AB de Villiers yet to arrive to the party, there is every chance for the Proteas to go for the kill as they will be playing for pride. Other important news is that, thunderstorms were predicted later in the day but it's bright and sunny at the moment and let's hope that it stays the same. Will it be yet another one-way traffic? Stay with us to
Toss - Markram flips the coin. Kohli calls Tails. Tails it is. India will field!
India skipper, Virat Kohli says they will bowl first. Feels the pitch is hard and dry and hence the decision. Further says as a good batting unit they want the challenge to chase the total and want the bowlers to get used to a situation they might encounter in a crunch game. Informs they have got one change. Shardul Thakur comes in and Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been rested.
South Africa skipper, Aiden Markram says they are just striving to put out the perfect game today. Adds the pitch looks a cracker, a good batting surface and hopes for a great show. Informs they have made four changes. Imran Tahir, Chris Morris, Khaya Zondo and Farhaan Behardien come in for Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, JP Duminy and David Miller.
The Indian coach, Ravi Shastri is up for a chat. He says the way the boys have come out after 2-0 down in the Test series is outstanding. States their game plan is that only one man has to get a hundred and the score automatically touches 300. Feels that it has been working well for them as they don't take much pressure and take one game at a time. Opines it's been a fantastic tour for them. Appreciates the crowd for its support in each and every game. Reckons, the boys have stepped up, taken th
It's time for the National Anthems. It will be India's first followed by South Africa's. After the completion, we are all set to get rolling. The Protea openers are Hashim Amla and Aiden Markram. India to begin with Shardul Thakur first up. Two slips in place for him. Here he comes steaming in...
0.1 : S Thakur to A Markram, Starts off from over the wicket and drops it on a back of a length, just outside off. Gets a good amount of bounce as Aiden Markram hops and taps it beside the pitch.
0.2 : S Thakur to A Markram, FOUR! Onto it in a flash! South African skipper is up and running. What a hit this is. Thakur serves a bit of width outside off, some late shape away, Markram slaps it through cover-point to open his account with a boundary.
0.3 : S Thakur to A Markram, FOUR! Ahhh. This is even better! Riding the bounce as they says! Another short of a length ball, in the channel outside off, Markram rises on the toes and cracks it square of the wicket on the off side. Pierces the gap and picks up back-to-back boundaries.
0.4 : S Thakur to A Markram, Good stop, Rahane! Little bit outside the line of the off stump and it stays a touch low too. Aiden crouches and cuts it hard towards point where Rahane dives to his left to make a good stop.
0.5 : S Thakur to A Markram, Stays right behind the line and offers a straight bat.
0.6 : S Thakur to A Markram, Ahead of a length and on the stumps, Markram covers the line and once again defends it down. 8 from the first over.
Jasprit Bumrah to bowl with the second new ball. A widish slip and gully for him.
1.1 : J Bumrah to H Amla, On a length and served outside off, Amla shoulders his arms. It rolls on the bounce to Dhoni.
1.2 : J Bumrah to H Amla, Edged and through! Bumrah lands it on a back of a length and gets it to zip off the surface with some bounce. Amla hangs back to defend but the ball takes the edge and flies between the gully and slip fielder. Amla gets off the mark in a streaky manner.
1.3 : J Bumrah to A Markram, Fuller in length, curling back in a touch, kept out off the back foot.
1.4 : J Bumrah to A Markram, Pitches it up outside off, comes back in, Aiden has it covered as he leaves it alone.
1.5 : J Bumrah to A Markram, Similar length ball, Markram plants his front foot across to make another assured leave.
1.6 : J Bumrah to A Markram, On a length outside off, nipping back in a bit, Aiden Markram once again shoulders his arms to it. Third in a row and a good first over from Bumrah comes to an end.
2.1 : S Thakur to H Amla, Angles it in on middle, the line is a bit too straight, Amla hops back and tucks it towards mid-wicket.
2.2 : S Thakur to H Amla, Nice line and length. In the tempting channel, Amla resists to let it be.
2.3 : S Thakur to H Amla, Length delivery, not much shape on this one, Hashim points his bat skywards to let Dhoni do some more work.
2.4 : S Thakur to H Amla, Fuller in length, angling in, Amla drives it straight to the cover fielder.
2.5 : S Thakur to H Amla, Tad short, some zip off the deck, Hashim Amla is happy to make another leave.
2.6 : S Thakur to H Amla, FOUR! In the air... but in the gap too! First boundary for Amla! Thakur keeps it full outside off, asks the batsman to go after it who obliges. Amla leans ahead and lifts it over covers. It was in the air for a while but flies well over the fielder for a boundary to spoil a good over.
3.1 : J Bumrah to A Markram, Markram lunges forward to a full ball and drives it towards Kohli at mid off.
3.2 : J Bumrah to A Markram, Edged but it falls well short! Angles it in from outside off, but this one doesn't rise as much as Markram expected it to be. He hangs his bat out at that, ekes out a soft edge which falls short of the man at widish slip.
3.3 : J Bumrah to A Markram, Is right behind the line and stabs it off the back foot towards cover.
3.4 : J Bumrah to A Markram, Good delivery! Bumrah bangs in a short one, directed towards the batsman, Markram arches back to evade it. Too much venom.
3.5 : J Bumrah to A Markram, Good length delivery, just outside off, punched off the back foot towards the cover fielder.
3.6 : J Bumrah to A Markram, Well-timed but for no runs! Fuller in length on off, driven sweetly by Markram but his opposite number at mid off is quick to get to his right to make a stop. A maiden for Bumrah!
4.1 : S Thakur to H Amla, Short of a good length delivery, tucked towards the man at square leg.
4.2 : S Thakur to H Amla, Back of a length delivery, skidding a bit this time, Amla shuffles across and with his one leg up in the air he looks to pull. Misses and wears it on the thigh pad.
4.3 : S Thakur to H Amla, A shout for an LBW! This one comes back in from a length outside off, Amla hops to clip it away but misses and gets hit on the pads. Thakur appeals but the height was an issue there.
4.4 : S Thakur to H Amla, This time Amla gets inside the line and rolls his wrists to pull it down to fine leg for a single.
4.5 : S Thakur to A Markram, FOUR! Just over mid-wicket! Shardul serves a length delivery on middle and leg, Aiden clips it towards mid-wicket. Shouts of Catch it! Go around but luckily for the Protea skipper, it evades a leaping Chahal at mid-wicket who isn't the tallest in the opposition. A boundary results!
4.6 : S Thakur to A Markram, Fullish ball on off, another well-timed drive but not in the gap. Straight to Kohli at mid off.
5.1 : J Bumrah to H Amla, Good length delivery on off, Amla presses forward in defense.
5.2 : J Bumrah to H Amla, Touch short outside off, punched off the back foot towards mid off.
5.3 : J Bumrah to H Amla, Leading edgeeeee! What was that? The two-paced nature of the surface? Fuller ball on the stumps, Hashim Amla, maybe, was a wee early in closing the bat face. Gets a leading edge but much to his delight the ball falls well short of Kohli at mid off.
5.4 : J Bumrah to H Amla, This is good stuff from Bumrah! He's not offering any width to let Amla free his arms. Tapped off the back foot by Amla towards point.
5.5 : J Bumrah to H Amla, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 5 dot ball, another maiden coming up?
5.6 : J Bumrah to H Amla, FOUR! Nailed it! Off the meat it rushes to the fence! Amla once again spoils what was a good over. Short ball, angling in on middle, Amla swivels a touch and pulls it neatly through backward square leg for a boundary.
6.1 : S Thakur to A Markram, Shortish ball, on middle and leg, pushed towards mid on.
6.2 : S Thakur to A Markram, Fuller delivery on the stumps, worked wide of mid on for a single.
6.3 : S Thakur to H Amla, OUT! Amla walks! Shardul Thakur is off for a celebratory run as he draws first blood. But to be honest this wasn't a wicket-taking delivery by any means. Short ball, angling down leg, Amla walks across to help it on its way down to fine leg. Ends up gloving it towards Dhoni who moves swiftly to his left to take a regulation catch. Amla showed signs of returning to form in the last game but has flopped once again today.
AB de Villiers in at no. 3, replacing Amla.
6.4 : S Thakur to de Villiers, Wide! Another one down the leg side, de Villiers looks to glance it away but fails to get any wood on it.
S Thakur to de Villiers, On a length and attacking the stumps, AB defends it down gently.
6.5 : S Thakur to de Villiers, Chance of a run out! Back of a length delivery, coming back in, de Villiers has no room to work with as he chops it towards Shreyas Iyer at cover-point and sets off. The fielder has a shy at the striker's end but misses. Replays show even though he had hit, Markram was home.
6.6 : S Thakur to A Markram, Slapped over the man at backward point for a couple of runs. 5 runs and a wicket off it.
7.1 : J Bumrah to de Villiers, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
7.2 : J Bumrah to de Villiers, Good length delivery on the off de Villiers hangs back and keeps it out.
7.3 : J Bumrah to de Villiers, FOUR! Not off the middle but AB de Villiers will take it! Fuller in length and in the corridor outside off, de Villiers looks to force it through covers but doesn't time it that well. Still finds the gap and Iyer from cover-point gives it a chase but the ball still wins the race.
7.4 : J Bumrah to de Villiers, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single.
7.5 : J Bumrah to A Markram, Veering on the pads, glanced on the bounce to the long leg fielder for a single.
7.6 : J Bumrah to de Villiers, Touch fuller on the stumps, bunted back to Bumrah who stops it in his followthrough.
First change then. Hardik Pandya is brought into the attack.
8.1 : H Pandya to A Markram, Pandya begins his spell with a short of a length delivery, Markram stabs it out towards cover.
8.2 : H Pandya to A Markram, Slower one on the stumps, punched towards mid on for a single.
8.3 : H Pandya to de Villiers, Fuller ball, angling in, wristed towards the man at mid-wicket.
8.4 : H Pandya to de Villiers, Shortish delivery, down the leg side, tucked fine down the leg side for a single.
8.5 : H Pandya to A Markram, What was that? The pitch is already playing its tricks. Slower cutter, served outside off, it sticks on the pitch and puts Markram into a dangle. Aiden, initially looks to drive and then waits and guides it off the outer half towards third man for a single.
8.6 : H Pandya to de Villiers, Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
9.1 : S Thakur to A Markram, Wide! Slips out a full toss down the leg side, Markram lets it be. A good take from Dhoni behind the stumps. My colleague quips saying, agreed he has got a wicket by bowling one down the leg side doesn't mean he will keep serving down the leg side.
S Thakur to A Markram, SIX! Boom! That's gone the distance! Short of a length delivery on middle, Markram transfers his weight on the back foot and pummels it over mid-wicket for a maximum. First one of the match.
9.2 : S Thakur to A Markram, Driven towards the cover fielder off the front foot.
9.3 : S Thakur to A Markram, Once again drives a fuller ball towards cover.
9.4 : S Thakur to A Markram, Good length delivery, angling in, AM looks to drive but gets it off the inner half back to the bowler.
9.5 : S Thakur to A Markram, OUT! What a catch! Shreyas Iyer takes a stunner here. Shardul Thakur gets his second and he is absolutely pumped up. It's the cutter, served a bit wider on off, Markram couldn't resist and looks to thrash it over cover. Doesn't get complete hold on this as Iyer stationed there, times his leap to perfection to take a lovely catch. He dropped a few in the series already but this should please him. So, both the South African openers are back inside the first Powerplay.
Khaya Zondo is the new man in, replacing Markram.
9.6 : S Thakur to K Zondo, The batsman has pushed it to the cover region. One run added to the total. 8 runs and a wicket off it.
Powerplay 2 signalled. Some respite for the fielding side as 4 players can now be placed outside the 30-yard circle till the 40th over.
10.1 : H Pandya to K Zondo, No run.
10.2 : H Pandya to K Zondo, Length ball outside off, Khaya looks to defend but misses it completely.
10.3 : H Pandya to K Zondo, Strides ahead and defends it down.
10.4 : H Pandya to K Zondo, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
10.5 : H Pandya to K Zondo, Fuller and on the pads, flicked through square leg for a single.
10.6 : H Pandya to de Villiers, Shortish ball, gripping off the surface, de Villiers looks to pull but seems to be early into the shot. Gets it off the splice as the ball lands short of the man at mid-wicket. Excellent over form Pandya, just a run from this over.
Kuldeep Yadav is brought into the attack. Slip, leg slip in place.
11.1 : K Yadav to K Zondo, Tossed up delviery on middle, worked down to long on for a single.
11.2 : K Yadav to de Villiers, Loopy delivery on the stumps, bunted back to Yadav.
11.3 : K Yadav to de Villiers, Bowls a googly, de Villiers works it away on the leg side for a single.
11.4 : K Yadav to K Zondo, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
11.5 : K Yadav to K Zondo, Around middle and leg, worked towards Iyer at mid-wicket who fumbles and concedes one.
11.6 : K Yadav to de Villiers, Turned away through backward square leg for a single.
12.1 : H Pandya to de Villiers, Back of a length delivery on middle, tucked behind square on the leg side for one.
12.2 : H Pandya to K Zondo, FOUR! Thrashed away! Short of a length delivery outside off, Zondo doesn't wait back as he stays back and slaps it over cover for a boundary.
12.3 : H Pandya to K Zondo, Looks to run it down towards third man but fails to get any wood on it.
12.4 : H Pandya to K Zondo, Shortish length delivery on the stumps, Zondo shuffles a bit and defends it towards the leg side.
12.5 : H Pandya to K Zondo, Slightly shorter length outside off, cut behind point for a single.
12.6 : H Pandya to de Villiers, Fuller ball, in the channel outside off, ABD shoulders his arms.
13.1 : K Yadav to K Zondo, Tosses it up generously, Zondo drives it back to Yadav.
13.2 : K Yadav to K Zondo, Waits back and dabs it towards short third man.
13.3 : K Yadav to K Zondo, Seeing Zondo dancing down the track, Yadav drags his length back, the batsman pads it away.
13.4 : K Yadav to K Zondo, A bit flatter through the air, worked in front of square leg for a single.
13.5 : K Yadav to de Villiers, Loopy delivery, turning in, de Villiers prods ahead in defense.
13.6 : K Yadav to de Villiers, Was that a catch? Tossed up delivery around middle, de Villiers looks to flick but it goes off something towards leg slip. A stifled appeal has been put in but the umpire shakes his head saying it was off the pads. Replays confirm the same.
14.1 : H Pandya to K Zondo, Good length delivery outside off, Zondo opens the face of the bat and runs it down to third man for a single.
14.2 : H Pandya to de Villiers, Keeps it fuller in length and angling in, blocked off the front foot gently.
14.3 : H Pandya to de Villiers, Wider outside off, ABD lifts his bat to make a leave.
14.4 : H Pandya to de Villiers, Fullish delivery on the stumps, worked straight to mid on.
14.5 : H Pandya to de Villiers, Back of a length delivery outside off, dabbed fine down to third man for a single.
14.6 : H Pandya to K Zondo, KZ leans forward and drives it a bit squarer through point for a single to keep strike.
15.1 : K Yadav to K Zondo, FOUR! Bowls a full toss outside off, Zondo dances down the track and lofts it over the man at mid off for a boundary.
15.2 : K Yadav to K Zondo, FOUR! Half-tracker and it's put away. Yadav drops it short on middle, Zondo goes back and pulls it through mid-wicket for another boundary.
15.3 : K Yadav to K Zondo, Flighted delivery around middle and off, kept out off the front foot.
15.4 : K Yadav to K Zondo, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
15.5 : K Yadav to K Zondo, Tossed up delivery around middle, Zondo comes down the track and drives it back to the bowler who takes it on the bounce.
15.6 : K Yadav to K Zondo, Flatter delivery on the stumps, defended with a straight bat.
Yadav's partner is back into the attack. It's Yuzvendra Chahal t roll his arm over now.
16.1 : Y Chahal to de Villiers, Tossed up delivery outside off, driven through cover for a single.
16.2 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, A bit too full around off, pushed back to the leggie.
16.3 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, Drops it short and it turns away, slapped past point for a couple of runs.
16.4 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, Good bowling! Tosses it up on the stumps, Zondo leans forward to defend but gets an edge which rolls along the ground towards slip.
16.5 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, Flighted delivery outside off, driven through the cover region for one.
16.6 : Y Chahal to de Villiers, Flatter and shorter outside off, slapped off the back foot to sweeper cover for another single.
17.1 : K Yadav to de Villiers, Dipping in on middle and leg, clipped through square leg for a single.
17.2 : K Yadav to K Zondo, Eased back to the bowler who fumbles and deflects it towards mid off for one.
17.3 : K Yadav to de Villiers, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs.
17.4 : K Yadav to de Villiers, FOUR! Overpitched outside off, de Villiers lunges forward and opens the face of the bat and drives it through cover-point for a boundary.
17.5 : K Yadav to de Villiers, FOUR! How on earth did that miss the stumps? Kuldeep can't believe it and wears a surprised look on his face. Drops it on a length, this one turns back in sharply. AB stays inside the crease and looks to dab it away. The ball catches the inside edge and goes over the stumps to the fine leg fence. Dhoni had no time to react so can't call it a drop chance either. De Villiers survives a scare here.
17.6 : K Yadav to de Villiers, FOUR! This is ABD at his best! Yadav doles out a full toss outside off, de Villiers gets into the position early and reverse sweeps it past Chahal at backward point to end the over with third consecutive boundary. Big over for South Africa.
Drinks are on the field.
18.1 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, Flattish delivery on the stumps, defended back to the bowler.
0.0 : Zondo is given out LBW but he is quick to take the DRS. Maybe, he has got an inside edge...
18.2 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, Some spike on Ultra Edge! Chahal keeps it really full on the stumps, Zondo gets down to play the sweep but seems to have missed it completely to get hit on the pads. A loud appeal to which umpire Dar raises his finger. Zondo takes the review. Ultra Edge shows a spike as the ball passes the gloves. So the on-field call has to be overturned. Zondo survives!
18.3 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, SIX! That has been clubbed! Chahal bowls it short on the stumps, Zondo immediately camps back and muscles the pull over deep mid-wicket for a maximum to bring up the 50-run stand between the two.
18.4 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, Lunges ahead ans smothers it.
18.5 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
18.6 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, SIX! And again! This is even big. Zondo has picked the bones outta that one. 100 is up for South Africa and Zondo gets a fist punch from de Villiers. Another one on the shorter side, it's googly which went horribly wrong. Khaya rocks back and smokes it over deep mid-wicket for the second maximum of the over. 12 runs off the over!
19.1 : K Yadav to de Villiers, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. They pick up a single.
19.2 : K Yadav to K Zondo, Half-tracker on middle and leg, pulled down to long leg for just a single.
19.3 : K Yadav to de Villiers, Gets down and paddle it down to fine leg for one.
19.4 : K Yadav to K Zondo, Flatter and quicker through the line, blocked.
19.5 : K Yadav to K Zondo, Eases it down to long off to milk a single.
19.6 : K Yadav to de Villiers, Too full in length, AB jams it out.
20.1 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, Floated delivery around middle and off, defended into the ground.
20.2 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
20.3 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, Uses his feet and drives it to long off for a single.
20.4 : Y Chahal to de Villiers, Tossed up around off, defended off the front foot gently.
20.5 : Y Chahal to de Villiers, OUT! Chahal strikes gold!
Heinrich Klaasen is the new man in, replacing de Villiers.
20.6 : Y Chahal to H Klaasen, 1 run.
21.1 : K Yadav to H Klaasen, No run.
21.2 : K Yadav to H Klaasen, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
21.3 : K Yadav to H Klaasen, Beaten! Bowls the googly and the South African keeper doesn't pick it up at all. Went back to cut but it turns away to beat him all ends up.
21.4 : K Yadav to H Klaasen, Klaasen works it away through square leg for a single.
21.5 : K Yadav to K Zondo, Loopy ball around middle, wristed towards the leg side.
21.6 : K Yadav to K Zondo, Khaya eases the drive to long off and will keep strike.
22.1 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, Flighted delivery on off, blocked watchfully.
22.2 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, Quicker through the air, Zondo hangs back in defense.
22.3 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, Comes down the track to push it away but ends up padding it away.
22.4 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, Flighted delivery on middle and leg, flicked straight to mid-wicket.
22.5 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. They pick up a single.
22.6 : Y Chahal to H Klaasen, Loops it up outside off, Klaasen lunges forward in defense. Superb over from Chahal again, just 3 from his last two overs.
Hardik Pandya is recalled into the attack.
23.1 : H Pandya to K Zondo, Good length delivery, skidding off the surface, Khaya looks to pull but misses to get hit high on the thigh pad.
23.2 : H Pandya to K Zondo, Back of a length delivery outside off, punched wide of the cover fielder for a single.
23.3 : H Pandya to H Klaasen, Outside off, Klaasen shoulders his arms to let it be.
23.4 : H Pandya to H Klaasen, Fuller ball outside off, Heinrich doesn't play at it.
23.5 : H Pandya to H Klaasen, Shortish outside off, defended towards the cover fielder.
23.6 : H Pandya to H Klaasen, Drives a fuller delivery towards long off for an easy single.
24.1 : Y Chahal to H Klaasen, Around middle and leg, nurdled through backward square leg for a single.
24.2 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, Same line again, clipped through mid-wicket for a single.
24.3 : Y Chahal to H Klaasen, Gives it good air, lands it full outside off, milked down to long off for one more.
24.4 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, Tossed up again, but a bit too full, blocked off the front foot.
24.5 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, Loopy delivery outside off, Zondo drives it by making some room through cover for a single.
24.6 : Y Chahal to H Klaasen, 5 singles off the over! Loopy delivery outside off, driven down to long off.
25.1 : H Pandya to H Klaasen, Fuller in length outside off, driven off the front foot but straight to the cover fielder.
25.2 : H Pandya to H Klaasen, Angles in a length ball on off, Klaasen defends it by covering the line.
25.3 : H Pandya to H Klaasen, Once again it's angles into the batsman, around off and Heinrich keeps it out from the inner half of the bat.
25.4 : H Pandya to H Klaasen, Another mistimed shot! Pandya bowls it full and around off, Klaasen tries driving through the line but ends up inside edging it towards mid on.
25.5 : H Pandya to H Klaasen, Fullish and on off, it's pushed with an angled bat to point.
25.6 : H Pandya to H Klaasen, Good length ball on off, Klaasen pushes it from the crease and finds the gap through cover-point. A single to end a tidy over. 10 from the last five, very quiet going from the Proteas.
26.1 : Y Chahal to H Klaasen, Tossed up ball outside off, spinning away, Klaasen leaves it alone.
26.2 : Y Chahal to H Klaasen, This time the length is full around off, Heinrich shapes for the heave across the line but then decides to just dig it out back towards the bowler.
Leg slip in place.
26.3 : Y Chahal to H Klaasen, Flighted and on middle, worked on the leg side but finds the fielder.
26.4 : Y Chahal to H Klaasen, Full and around off, knocked down to long on for a single.
26.5 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, Once again a full ball is eased down the ground for a single at long on.
26.6 : Y Chahal to H Klaasen, Floated and on off, it's defended from the crease to end the over.
27.1 : H Pandya to K Zondo, Short in length and it's pulled through square leg for a run.
27.2 : H Pandya to H Klaasen, Pitches it up this time, outside off, it's driven off the front foot but straight to mid off.
27.3 : H Pandya to H Klaasen, More of a mishit towards covers and they set off for a run. Dhawan attacks the ball, tries to take aim at the striker's end but loses his control over the ball.
27.4 : H Pandya to K Zondo, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
27.5 : H Pandya to K Zondo, Short in length and around off, too close to the body and Khaya tries to cut. Fails to make any contact and Dhoni fumbles slightly while collecting the ball.
27.6 : H Pandya to K Zondo, Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. The runs have dried up and no real intent shown by the current pair to score runs. Maybe, they want to take it deep and then open their arms.
Jasprit Bumrah is back on.
28.1 : J Bumrah to H Klaasen, Slants in a length ball on off, Klaasen flicks it on the leg side but finds the mid-wicket fielder.
28.2 : J Bumrah to H Klaasen, Slightly short this time, around off, Klaasen goes on his back foot and punches it down towards mid off.
28.3 : J Bumrah to H Klaasen, Once again it's little short in length, around middle, Heinrich taps it down to mid-wicket. Not finding the gaps and as a result the strike is not rotating enough.
28.4 : J Bumrah to H Klaasen, FOUR! This will release some pressure. Klaasen camps back inside the crease, fetches a length ball from outside off and powers it over mid-wicket for a cracking boundary. He looks a bit like Martin Guptill and now he has played one shot like him.
28.5 : J Bumrah to H Klaasen, Here is the response from a fast bowler. Yes, it's a bouncer but being a keeper, Heinrich knows all these traits of a bowler. He anticipates this bumper and easily evades.
28.6 : J Bumrah to H Klaasen, FOUR! Now, take that for a response from Klaasen. Once again he is quick to pick the short ball and nails his pull shot to the deep mid-wicket fence. Bumrah has a smile on his face. 8 from the over, more like a drop of water in the desert.
29.1 : S Thakur to K Zondo, Straighter in line, turned in the gap on the leg side for one.
29.2 : S Thakur to H Klaasen, Klaasen has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
29.3 : S Thakur to H Klaasen, Full and on off, Klaasen has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
29.4 : S Thakur to H Klaasen, FOUR! Fine shot! Klaasen is beginning to open up. This time he gives a little bit of charge to the bowler, takes the full ball head on and lofts it over mid off for a boundary.
Slight hold up in play. Heinrich Klaasen wants to change his head gear.
29.5 : S Thakur to H Klaasen, Fuller and around off, it's punched down the ground and goes on one bounce over the bowler. The mid off fielder quickly gets across to his right to stop it and the batsmen from crossing over.
29.6 : S Thakur to H Klaasen, A well-directed short ball, Klaasen pulls it across the line. Not entirely in control but it rolls behind square leg for a single.
30.1 : J Bumrah to H Klaasen, A touch short and on off, 140 kph, Klaasen pushes it right back.
30.2 : J Bumrah to H Klaasen, Back of a length delivery on middle and off, Heinrich punches it from the back foot to mid on.
30.3 : J Bumrah to H Klaasen, OUT! Great reflex catch by the Indian skipper! After bowling a couple of heavy balls, Bumrah tries the slower one and dishes it full and wide outside off. Klaasen senses the opportunity to blast it through the line but fails to beat the fielder at short cover. It's struck ferociously but Kohli stationed there grabs a terrific low catch. Made that look ridiculously easy. Another blow to South Africa as they lose a positive looking batsman in Heinrich Klaasen.
Farhaan Behardien is back in the XI and it's now his turn to bat.
30.4 : J Bumrah to F Behardien, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
30.5 : J Bumrah to F Behardien, Another forward defense offered by Behardien.
30.6 : J Bumrah to F Behardien, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. They pick up a single. Excellent over by Bumrah!
31.1 : S Thakur to F Behardien, Nearly guided it into Dhoni's gloves! A zippy delivery, dropping on a length outside off, Behardien tries to run it down to third man but misses. With a slip in pace, that's not the best choice of shot from Farhaan.
31.2 : S Thakur to F Behardien, OUT! Another ordinary choice of shot and Behardien is on his bike. But, what a catch by Bumrah in the deep! Tremendous catching by the Indians, they are not letting the intensity drop even in this inconsequential contest. Thakur digs in a short delivery around off, Behardien goes on his toes as he tries to slash it over point. But he fails to control his shot and execution is very poor. It flies in the air off the outer half of the bat and Bumrah takes a stupendous
Chris Morris is the new batsman.
31.3 : S Thakur to C Morris, Morris has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
31.4 : S Thakur to C Morris, Gets on the front foot and drives it back to the bowler.
31.5 : S Thakur to C Morris, Thakur nearly got his fourth! A short ball takes Morris by surprise and he goes for an instinctive pull shot. It takes the top edge but falls safely at fine leg. A single taken.
31.6 : S Thakur to K Zondo, Defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. A run and a wicket from it!
Hardik Pandya is back into the attack.
32.1 : H Pandya to C Morris, A length ball around off, Morris defends it back.
32.2 : H Pandya to C Morris, Gets on the front foot and drives it back to the bowler.
32.3 : H Pandya to C Morris, Turns it off his pads to the leg side, finds the gap and takes a run.
Khaya Zondo, who has spent an eternity in the 40s, is on strike. In the 22nd over, he reached 40 off 44 balls and is on 47 now off 61 balls. Not enough rotation of strike from him and he has gone into a shell after the fall of AB de Villiers' wicket. Needs to shake himself up.
32.4 : H Pandya to K Zondo, Zondo has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
32.5 : H Pandya to K Zondo, Short and outside off, Zondo flashes and misses. Sudden loss of form for him.
32.6 : H Pandya to K Zondo, Short in length on middle, pulled to deep square leg for a run.
Drinks break. All going at a snail's pace for South Africa. There has been a drop in intensity and India have left no stone unturned in choking the flow of runs. The regular fall of wickets has not helped them either. Let's see how they finish.
Kuldeep Yadav is back on. A slip and leg slip in place.
33.1 : K Yadav to K Zondo, Spinning the other way, a bit on the shorter side, the batsman gets the time to wait and play. Brings his bat down and plays it wide of Rahane at first slip for a run.
33.2 : K Yadav to C Morris, Tossed up ball on middle and off, turning back in, Morris reads it well and nudges it behind square leg for a couple.
33.3 : K Yadav to C Morris, OUT! That's a horrible shot and Morris will be kicking himself. Kuldeep outfoxes him this time. The last ball turned back into the batsman and this one leaves him after landing on a fuller length around middle. Morris without paying much attention to the type of delivery, tries to heave it across the line over the leg side. His power is there but the away spin has brought his downfall. He skies a catch towards long off and Dhawan runs forward a bit from the deep to cat
Andile Phehlukwayo is in next.
33.4 : K Yadav to K Zondo, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
33.5 : K Yadav to K Zondo, Fifty up for Khaya Zondo! An innings which started with a lot of positivity and intent surprisingly slipped into a slumber. He spent an eternity in the 40s before getting to the milestone. It's a gentle push down to long off for a run. He needs to stay there till the end now.
33.6 : K Yadav to A Phehlukwayo, Slower through the air, full and on off, Phehlukwayo defends it off his front foot.
34.1 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, Tossed up ball outside off, driven to sweeper cover for a run.
34.2 : Y Chahal to A Phehlukwayo, Andile has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
34.3 : Y Chahal to A Phehlukwayo, Defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
34.4 : Y Chahal to A Phehlukwayo, Goes down and tries to reverse sweep, middles too but finds backward point.
34.5 : Y Chahal to A Phehlukwayo, Gets on the front foot and drives it through mid off for a run.
34.6 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, Flighted and on off, defended back to the bowler.
35.1 : K Yadav to A Phehlukwayo, Nearly a return catch! Flighted full ball on off, Andile drives it back uppishly and Kuldeep goes down to catch it. But it falls right in front of him and sneaks past to long off. A single taken.
35.2 : K Yadav to K Zondo, Flatter and shorter outside off, Zondo reaches out for it and slaps it with the spin to sweeper cover for a run.
35.3 : K Yadav to A Phehlukwayo, Beautiful delivery. Yadav slows this up and lands it full and outside off. Phehlukwayo tries to drive but is beaten by the away spin.
35.4 : K Yadav to A Phehlukwayo, DROPPED! A googly bowled at a slower pace, Phehlukwayo without picking it goes hard at it and hits it back to the bowler. It's aerial and this time it carries as well but Yadav puts it down in his followthrough. He is in pain. Some damage done to the fingers.
Kuldeep Yadav has hurt his fingers. Hopefully, he has not split his webbing. Physio comes out. Good thing is that it's not his bowling hand. Kuldeep gets his fingers taped and is ready to bowl now.
35.5 : K Yadav to A Phehlukwayo, Loopy full ball around leg, Andile lunges and defends it back.
35.6 : K Yadav to A Phehlukwayo, A bit on the shorter side and turning back into the left hander from outside off, Phehlukwayo goes back and turns it through square leg for a run.
36.1 : Y Chahal to A Phehlukwayo, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. No run.
36.2 : Y Chahal to A Phehlukwayo, Advances down the track to a full ball and eases it to long on for a run.
36.3 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, Floated full ball on off, driven right back and Chahal dived to his left to parry it towards the cover fielder.
36.4 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, In the air for a long time but falls safely. Goes with the spin, Khaya, and lofts it over extra cover for a couple. That was a calculative shot if he meant to do so! 150 up for South Africa!
36.5 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, Zondo has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
36.6 : Y Chahal to K Zondo, OUT! Khaya Zondo departs after playing a knock which will do good to his career not that much good to his team. South Africa needed him to last the distance. Another inside-out shot attempted by him, last time he went over extra cover but this time it's a bit squarer. Finds the fielder in the deep cover region and Hardik Pandya makes no mistake. Can they last 50 overs?
Morne Morkel is in next.
37.1 : K Yadav to M Morkel, Goes deep inside the crease and plays it with the spin to mid-wicket.
37.2 : K Yadav to M Morkel, Morkel has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
37.3 : K Yadav to M Morkel, Gets on the back foot and punches it to mid off.
37.4 : K Yadav to M Morkel, Morkel gets forward to a full ball and blocks.
37.5 : K Yadav to M Morkel, SIX! No bowler likes to get hit over his head, at least not while bowling to a tailender. But Morkel has done it. He gets forward with a big stride and muscles it down the ground for a biggie. 'Ab nahi maarega' (won't hit now) words of encouragement by MS Dhoni from behind the stumps.
37.6 : K Yadav to M Morkel, Knocks a full ball down through mid on for a run.
38.1 : Y Chahal to M Morkel, Spinning in from around off, helped through mid-wicket for a run.
38.2 : Y Chahal to A Phehlukwayo, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
38.3 : Y Chahal to A Phehlukwayo, Connects well with his reverse sweep but finds the backward point fielder. A good stop by Dhawan.
38.4 : Y Chahal to A Phehlukwayo, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.
38.5 : Y Chahal to M Morkel, Extra slow delivery, 69 kph, Morkel fails to middle his flick shot.
Shout for an lbw, finger goes up after the completion of the appeal and Morkel takes the referral.
38.6 : Y Chahal to M Morkel, MISSING LEG! Morkel survives! A nicely tossed up leg spinner landing full on off, Morkel kneels to play the slog sweep but misses. He is hit on the pads, Chahal appeals and appeals and finally succeeds in getting the finger up from umpire Aleem Dar. Morkel takes the help of the DRS and they go upstairs. The Ultra Edge shows a little bit of spike but it's of the ball hitting the deck, not the under edge of the bat. Now, after taking quite a while we get the Ball Tracke
39.1 : K Yadav to A Phehlukwayo, Gets forward to a full ball and drives it to mid off.
39.2 : K Yadav to A Phehlukwayo, Gets back and punches it towards mid off again.
39.3 : K Yadav to A Phehlukwayo, Goes on the back foot to punch it through covers but gets a bit of outside edge. It rolls to point.
39.4 : K Yadav to A Phehlukwayo, Short and cut through point for a single.
39.5 : K Yadav to M Morkel, Jumps out of the crease to take it on the full and pushes it to long on for a run.
39.6 : K Yadav to A Phehlukwayo, Presses forward to a full ball and drills it to extra cover. Yadav is bowled out, 51/1 for him!
40.1 : Y Chahal to M Morkel, Allows the ball to spin back in and helps it behind square leg for a run.
40.2 : Y Chahal to A Phehlukwayo, Short in length and outside off, smashed it to sweeper cover for a couple.
40.3 : Y Chahal to A Phehlukwayo, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
40.4 : Y Chahal to A Phehlukwayo, Once again Andile is on the front foot as he blocks.
40.5 : Y Chahal to A Phehlukwayo, Gets back to defend and pushes it off the outer half of the bat to point.
40.6 : Y Chahal to A Phehlukwayo, Phehlukwayo has driven it through mid off. One run added to the total. 10-0-38-2, Chahal is bowled out as well.
Hardik Pandya returns in the attack.
41.1 : H Pandya to A Phehlukwayo, Good length ball outside off, angling away, Phehlukwayo forces it to sweeper cover for a run.
41.2 : H Pandya to M Morkel, Width on offer outside off, Morkel cuts it behind point for a single.
41.3 : H Pandya to A Phehlukwayo, FOUR! Cracking shot! That was hit with immense power. Pandya switches to round the wicket and overpitches it outside off. Andile strides forward and drills it through covers.
41.4 : H Pandya to A Phehlukwayo, Another drive from the bat of Phehlukwayo but he finds the cover fielder this time.
41.5 : H Pandya to A Phehlukwayo, Phehlukwayo has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
41.6 : H Pandya to A Phehlukwayo, FOUR! Dhawan gifts a boundary! He wants runs on the board so that he can score them later. A low full toss around off, Phehlukwayo walks across the stumps and whips it wide of long on. Dhawan chases it to his left, does well to stop it with a slide but then ends up flicking it behind the rope. Bonus runs.
Jasprit Bumrah is back on.
42.1 : J Bumrah to M Morkel, Goes on the back foot and punches it back to the bowler.
42.2 : J Bumrah to M Morkel, Play and a miss! A length ball outside off, Morkel swings but misses.
42.3 : J Bumrah to M Morkel, Gets on the front foot and drives it through mid off for a run.
42.4 : J Bumrah to A Phehlukwayo, A yorker on middle, Phehlukwayo digs it out back to the bowler.
42.5 : J Bumrah to A Phehlukwayo, Forces it down the ground to long on for a run.
42.6 : J Bumrah to M Morkel, Mix up, almost a run out! But for that, they needed a better throw. Bumrah offers room outside off, Morkel cuts it to point and looks for a run. His partner is hesitant initially but then responds. The point fielder has a shy at the bowler's end, it's too wide and the batsman makes it safely with a dive.
43.1 : H Pandya to M Morkel, SIX! Wow, Morne Morkel is having fun. Receives one full ball in his half, winds up for a big shot and hammers it over mid-wicket for a biggie.
43.2 : H Pandya to M Morkel, Short and outside off, cut through point for one.
43.3 : H Pandya to A Phehlukwayo, Back of a length ball outside off, tapped down towards gully for one.
43.4 : H Pandya to M Morkel, OUT! Morkel is disappointed with himself as he walks back. A short of a length delivery around off, Morkel stands tall inside the crease and slaps it in the air over covers. The ball finds Shreyas Iyer with precision in the deep. A handy cameo comes to an end, let's see what Imran Tahir does now...
43.5 : H Pandya to I Tahir, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman.
43.6 : H Pandya to A Phehlukwayo, On a length outside off, played down to point.
Shardul Thakur is back on.
44.1 : S Thakur to I Tahir, Angles in a length ball on middle, Tahir turns it off his pads to mid-wicket. Looks for a run but is sent back. Reaches before the direct hit is made at his end by Bumrah.
44.2 : S Thakur to I Tahir, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
44.3 : S Thakur to I Tahir, Wide called for height! A bouncer which goes well over the head of the batsman.
S Thakur to I Tahir, Short and wide outside off, slower in pace, Tahir waits and slaps it to sweeper cover for a run.
44.4 : S Thakur to A Phehlukwayo, On the pads, nudged in front of square leg for one.
44.5 : S Thakur to I Tahir, Swing and a miss outside off. Dhoni fumbles, Tahir wants a run but is sent back.
44.6 : S Thakur to I Tahir, Great shot from a number 10 but for no run. Too full in length outside off, Tahir plays a lovely square drive but finds point.
45.1 : J Bumrah to A Phehlukwayo, Shortish and outside off, a mistimed punch shot to covers.
45.2 : J Bumrah to A Phehlukwayo, Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single.
45.3 : J Bumrah to I Tahir, Follows the batsman down the leg side with a length delivery, Tahir helps it to mid-wicket.
45.4 : J Bumrah to I Tahir, OUT! Soft dismissal! Full ball outside off, Tahir gets forward and is early into his drive. Fails to get any sort of timing and pushes it aerially towards short cover. Kohli takes a good catch diving forward. 100th catch for him in the ODIs.
Lungi Ngidi is the last batsman.
45.5 : J Bumrah to L Ngidi, Appeal for an lbw! Bumrah angles in a full length ball around off, Ngidi tries to hit across the line but misses to get rapped on the back leg. They appeal but the umpire remains unmoved. The replays detect some inside edge.
45.6 : J Bumrah to L Ngidi, Shortish and outside off, Ngidi tries to cut but misses.
46.1 : S Thakur to A Phehlukwayo, Play and a miss! Thakur takes the pace off the bowler and bowls it wide outside off, Andile winds up for a big shot but misses.
46.2 : S Thakur to A Phehlukwayo, SIX! That's out of here! Plenty of width on offer outside off, it's on the shorter side and Phehlukwayo smacks it over covers for a maximum.
46.3 : S Thakur to A Phehlukwayo, SIX! Another big hit! This time it's a short ball on middle, Andile rides the bounce and powers his pull shot over fine leg for a biggie. 200 up for South Africa!
46.4 : S Thakur to A Phehlukwayo, A knuckle delivery, outside off, Phehlukwayo is deceived by it and misses the ball completely.
46.5 : S Thakur to A Phehlukwayo, OUT! Caught and bowled! Four-fer for Thakur! He bowls a length ball on middle, it holds up a bit onto the batsman who offers a straight bat. Ends up pushing it uppishly towards the bowler who dives to his right to take an excellent catch. SOUTH AFRICA BUNDLED OUT FOR 204!
Yet another disappointing batting show by the Proteas! They adopted a cautious approach up front but still lost both the openers inside the Powerplay. Then, the pair of AB de Villiers and Khaya Zondo batted with fluency and constructed a 62-run partnership in quick time. But once the former departed, it all went pear-shaped for the hosts. Khaya Zondo went into a shell and the batsmen coming in were not able to rotate the strike enough. Pressure mounted and it resulted in more wickets. In fact, t
Once again the Indian team was brilliant on the field. Their bowlers were patient throughout and were rewarded with wickets. Shardul Thakur after bowling an ordinary first over bounced back nicely and finished with a 4-wicket haul. The target is pretty straightforward and considering India's batting form, this should be chased down with ease. Having said that, cricket is a funny old game and sometimes these low targets prove to be tricky. Join us in a short while for the chase.
0.0 : We are back for the run chase. Considering the way the series has panned out, should be a stroll in the park for the Men in Blue. Out walk Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan to open the batting. Morne Morkel to run in first up. He has a couple of slips in place...
0.1 : M Morkel to S Dhawan, Morkel begins his spell from over the wicket and lands it on a length around middle and leg, Dhawan gets across and clips it down to fine leg for a single to get going.
0.2 : M Morkel to R Sharma, Serves it on a good length, just outside the off stump line, Rohit Sharma lifts his bat to make a leave.
0.3 : M Morkel to R Sharma, A stifled appeal for an LBW! Morkel brings this one back in from outside off, Sharma looks to tuck it away but misses to get hit high on the pads. Height was the issue and hence the umpire shakes his head to the appeal that has been made. In fact, on further look, an inside edge is detected too.
0.4 : M Morkel to R Sharma, Back of a length delivery on middle and off, Sharma presses forward and stabs it out towards the cover fielder.
0.5 : M Morkel to R Sharma, FOUR! Edge and it flies through. Rohit Sharma is off the mark in an unconvincing manner. Fuller in length and nipping back in just a shade, Rohit looks to flick but gets a leading edge which is quick to fly right between second slip and gully to the third man fence for a boundary.
0.6 : M Morkel to R Sharma, FOUR! That's crashed! Loosener from Morel, this! Tons of width on offer and Rohit isn't letting it go. Bends his back leg and cracks it through backward point for a rocketing boundary to end the first over.
Lungi Ngidi will bowl with the second new ball.
1.1 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, Angling away from a length around middle and off, Dhawan is early into his clip and hence fails to make any contact. Wears it on the pads.
1.2 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, Goes back to a length delivery and defends it down on the leg side.
1.3 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, Short of a length delivery on middle, Dhawan goes back to pull but doesn't get it off the middle. Mistimes it towards square leg.
1.4 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, Veering in on the pads, Dhawan misses the flick and is rapped on pads. Pitching outside leg!
1.5 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, Angles it away on a fuller length outside off, nicely shouldered arms.
1.6 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, Pitches it further up outside off, Shikhar doesn't play at it. A maiden for Ngidi to begin with.
2.1 : M Morkel to R Sharma, Delivers it at 138 kph, on a back of a length, Sharma rides the bounce and crunches it through cover to get off strike.
2.2 : M Morkel to S Dhawan, Wide! Strangles it down leg, Dhawan opts to play the pull shot but misses.
M Morkel to S Dhawan, Bowls it at 141 clicks but the line is on the leg stump, tapped in front of the square leg fielder for a single.
2.3 : M Morkel to R Sharma, Works it with soft hands towards mid-wicket and says NO immediately.
2.4 : M Morkel to R Sharma, FOUR! Shot! But that was a poor effort from Tahir! Shortish delivery, with width gifted outside off, Sharma latches onto it. Gets it square on the off side and Tahir at third man gets across to his right, puts in a slide but lets the ball through him to the fence. Could have done better there.
2.5 : M Morkel to R Sharma, Ahead of a length outside off, shown a straight blade.
2.6 : M Morkel to R Sharma, On a good length in the channel of uncertainty, easily left alone.
3.1 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, Short of a length ball outside off, tapped in front of point for a single.
3.2 : L Ngidi to R Sharma, Fuller but a bit too straight this time, glanced down to fine leg for a brace.
3.3 : L Ngidi to R Sharma, Rohit leans forward and across and defends it down.
3.4 : L Ngidi to R Sharma, OUT! Off the gloves and Rohit Sharma perishes! We saw Amla gloving one down the leg side, this is almost identical to his wicket. Short of a length delivery, kicking off the deck but the line is around the leg stump. Rohit Sharma, who is too good a puller tries to go after this with his one leg up in the air. Extra bounce of the surface means that he fails to get the desired connection as the ball lobs off the gloves towards the left of the keeper where Klaasen pouches
So, no experimenting with the batting order. Virat Kohli is in at no. 3, replacing Rohit.
3.5 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, Shortish delivery on middle and off, Kohli walks across and pushes it towards gully.
3.6 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, Wide! Sprays it miles down the leg side, Kohli doesn't even bother looking at it.
L Ngidi to V Kohli, Rises on the toes to deal with this back of a length ball and keeps it out. Successful over from Ngidi!
4.1 : M Morkel to S Dhawan, Bangs in a short one on leg stump, Dhawan is quick to duck under it.
4.2 : M Morkel to S Dhawan, Goes fuller outside off, left alone without much fuss.
4.3 : M Morkel to S Dhawan, What a take by Klaasen but there is no chunk of wood involved. Shortish delivery down the leg side, Dhawan gets it off his thigh pad as he fails to get going with his attempted glance. Heinrich quickly dives to his right and plucks it with one hand.
4.4 : M Morkel to S Dhawan, An appeal for a caught down the leg side! Not given! Instead Aleem Dar stretches his arms to call it a wide! Shorter in length down the leg side, Shikhar looks to help it away but seems to have missed it. South Africa appeal but it's turned down instantly.
M Morkel to S Dhawan, Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
4.5 : M Morkel to S Dhawan, More stuff on the pads, this time SD gets some bat on it. It goes to Tahir at fine leg for a single.
4.6 : M Morkel to V Kohli, Hangs back to a length ball and defends it down solidly.
5.1 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, Slants it away on a length outside off, slapped through point for a single.
5.2 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, Wide! Length ball, swirling down the leg side, Kohli moves inside the line to pull but misses.
L Ngidi to V Kohli, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
5.3 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, FOUR! Kohli nearly falls in the trap here! He smiles but tell you what, he would have had his heart in his mouth. Ngidi shakes his head and walks back to his run-up area. There is a leg gully in place so Ngidi bowls it short and down the leg side and force the Indian skipper to have a go at it. Kohli obliges as he pulls it but it just goes over a leaping Andile Phehlukwayo at leg gully for a boundary.
5.4 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, Flicks it with ease through mid-wicket to get to the other end.
5.5 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, More runs! Four Byes this time! Ngidi hits it hard on the deck and it shapes away too much. Dhawan tries fetching it from outside off but the ball is out of his reach. Poor Klaasen dives full length to his left but even he can't get to the ball. It races away towards the third man fence.
5.6 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, Outside off, left alone by Shikhar.
6.1 : M Morkel to V Kohli, FOUR! Morkel with a short one on middle, Kohli gets on top of the bounce and swipes it through backward square leg for a boundary.
6.2 : M Morkel to V Kohli, FOUR! Deft! South Africa are leaking way too many at the moment! Back of a length ball outside off, Kohli waits and at the last moment tries to run it down. Gets it off the outer portion of the bat but wide of the second slip fielder for back-to-back boundaries.
6.3 : M Morkel to V Kohli, On a length and just outside off, tapped towards point for a single.
6.4 : M Morkel to S Dhawan, Tempts the southpaw by bowling it wide outside off, Dhawan doesn't play at it.
6.5 : M Morkel to S Dhawan, Stays back to a length ball and defends it down safely.
6.6 : M Morkel to S Dhawan, Length delivery outside off, Dhawan mistimes his punch towards cover.
7.1 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, Runs it down to third man for an easy single.
7.2 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, Good length delivery outside off, Dhawan hits it through point for a single.
7.3 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, The batsman defends it from within the crease.
7.4 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, FOUR! Rolls his wrists superbly! Expects a short ball, is up for it and controls his pull through backward square leg for a boundary.
7.5 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, FOUR! Shot! This time off the sweet spot! Ngidi pounds in another short ball but without much venom. Virat rocks back and pulls it with aplomb over deep square leg for a one-bounce boundary. 50 comes up for India in 47 balls.
7.6 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, Taps this back of a length delivery towards point for a single to keep strike. 11 coming from the over.
8.1 : M Morkel to V Kohli, Shorter in length, Kohli makes room and guides it through gully for a single.
8.2 : M Morkel to S Dhawan, Tries to work it away but gets an inside edge on the pads as the ball rolls back towards Morne.
8.3 : M Morkel to S Dhawan, FOUR! Dhawan joins in the fun! Gets a short ball and he pummels it through mid-wicket to find the fence.
8.4 : M Morkel to S Dhawan, A bit too straight again on the pads, Shikhar misses his flick and the ball goes off the pads towards short fine leg. A leg bye taken.
8.5 : M Morkel to V Kohli, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot.
8.6 : M Morkel to V Kohli, Shortish outside off, pushed to point for nothing.
Chris Morris is brought into the attack.
9.1 : C Morris to S Dhawan, Fuller in length and angling away from the southpaw, Dhawan keeps it out towards cover.
9.2 : C Morris to S Dhawan, Good length delivery on off, cracked through cover for just a single.
9.3 : C Morris to V Kohli, Bends forward and defends it back to Morris.
9.4 : C Morris to V Kohli, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
9.5 : C Morris to V Kohli, Shimmies down the track to a fuller ball and wrists it past the non-striker. Beats the man at mid on but the outfield isn't that quick and hence Kohli will get three.
9.6 : C Morris to S Dhawan, Dhawan skips down the track to a length ball and mistimes it towards cover-point. 63 from the first Powerplay! India need 142 from 240 balls.
Powerplay 2 is signalled now. South Africa can now have 4 fielders outside the circle.
10.1 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, Shortish ball outside off, Kohli rides the bounce to push it towards gully.
10.2 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, Back of a length delivery outside off, slapped over cover for a couple as Tahir mops it up in the deep.
10.3 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, FOUR! Kaboom! Kohli isn't afraid to take on the short ball. Is quick to rock back and pulls it with authority over square leg. Zondo from deep backward square leg sprints to his left, puts in a slide and stops it with his left hand. However, the momentum takes him through and the ball slips out of his hand and trickles to the fence. The Delhi lads raise a 50-run association with that.
10.4 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, Slices it over point and collects a brace.
10.5 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, Looks to pull but this time the ball comes slowly. Kohli gets an inside edge through square leg for a single.
10.6 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, The batsman plays the pull-shot. They pick up a single.
11.1 : C Morris to S Dhawan, The ball stops on the surface and as a result Dhawan mistimes his shot to through point for a single.
11.2 : C Morris to V Kohli, Eases it behind point for a single.
11.3 : C Morris to S Dhawan, Fuller in length and outside off, driven through cover for a single.
11.4 : C Morris to V Kohli, Good length delivery on middle, Kohli defends it with an high elbow.
11.5 : C Morris to V Kohli, Kicking off the deck, Kohli shapes up for the pull but then at the last moment he bails out.
11.6 : C Morris to V Kohli, Length delivery on the pads, nudged with soft hands to mid on.
12.1 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, FOUR! Class! Shortish delivery, a bit of width on offer, Dhawan is quick to cut it late through backward point and away she races to the fence for a boundary.
12.2 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, Digs in a short ball on middle, it comes slowly off the surface and takes Dhawan by surprise. He bends down as the ball sails over him to the keeper.
12.3 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, Wow! Now this one takes off. Ngidi hits the same length like he did on the previous ball but this time gets it to bounce more. Dhawan tries poking at it and is lucky not to get an edge.
12.4 : L Ngidi to S Dhawan, OUT! Straight to Zondo! Ngidi strikes again... It was hit really hard but straight to the man and Dhawan wears a smile as he starts to walk back. A bit short and width on offer too. Shikhar slaps it ferociously but fails to keep it down. It travels quickly towards Khaya Zondo at backward point who makes it look so easy. End of a cracking stand between the two and India need another 125.
Ajinkya Rahane is in at no. 4, replacing Dhawan.
12.5 : L Ngidi to A Rahane, Rahane opens his tally with a clip towards square leg.
12.6 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, FOUR! Beautiful! Walks across to a fuller ball on the pads and glances it neatly down to the fine leg fence. Expensive over but a wicket off it.
13.1 : C Morris to A Rahane, Angling in from a fuller length outside off, Rahane defends it towards the point fielder.
13.2 : C Morris to A Rahane, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
13.3 : C Morris to V Kohli, On a length and takes ages to arrive, Kohli looks to defend but the ball goes off the outer edge and lands well short of the backward point fielder.
13.4 : C Morris to V Kohli, FOUR! Shot of a man in prime form! Back of a length delivery with a lot of width, Kohli wouldn't miss out. He stands tall and slaps it squarer on the off side for another boundary.
13.5 : C Morris to V Kohli, Knocks a full ball down to long off for a single.
13.6 : C Morris to A Rahane, Attacks the stumps with a fuller ball and punches it down through mid on. Gets a comfortable three before Ngidi from mid on mops it up.
Morne Morkel replaces Ngidi now.
14.1 : M Morkel to A Rahane, FOUR! Too easy for Rahane! He has just come to the crease and anyone would love to get such a freebie! Length ball, with just too much of width. It's thrashed by Jinx through cover. No need to run for those.
14.2 : M Morkel to A Rahane, Now errs in line again, full down the leg side, Ajinkya clips it down to fine leg for one.
14.3 : M Morkel to V Kohli, Another one on the pads, this time it's Kohli who keeps the man at long leg busy to bring the three figures up for his side.
14.4 : M Morkel to A Rahane, Defended off the back foot gently.
14.5 : M Morkel to A Rahane, Length delivery outside off, Rahane cracks it hard but finds the man at backward point.
14.6 : M Morkel to A Rahane, Rolls his wrists on the pull to get it behind square on the leg side for a single.
15.1 : C Morris to A Rahane, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. They pick up a single.
15.2 : C Morris to V Kohli, Good length ball on the stumps, Virat with a high elbow defends it back to the bowler.
15.3 : C Morris to V Kohli, FOUR! Down the ground! 47th half century for the master of run chases! Just a raise of the bat from him. Tell you what, he is eyeing his 35th ton tonight it seems. He walked in and in no time has reached to a fifty. Fuller ball on off, Kohli sends it from where it has come. Drilled back past mid off for a boundary.
15.4 : C Morris to V Kohli, Stays leg side and looks to run it down but finds the gully fielder.
15.5 : C Morris to V Kohli, FOUR! Bazooka! What a hit! Maybe, this lad is anticipating the short stuff. Stays deep in the crease and unfurls a cracking pull shot over mid-wicket for another boundary. He now goes past George Bailey for most runs for a skipper in a bilateral ODI series.
15.6 : C Morris to V Kohli, Shortish again and served outside off, Kohli looks to ramp it over the keeper but fails to do so.
Drinks! It's going all too easy for India at the moment. Rohit departed cheaply but the Indian skipper, Virat Kohli didn't waste any time to start his preferred business. He was tested with a few short balls but once he dealt with them, he continued to march on. Dhawan and he added a quick 61 before the southpaw made his way back. So, India just need 5 short of a 100 to make it 5-1. The eyes will be on Kohli as to if he can get another century in the chase. Let's wait and find out...
16.1 : M Morkel to A Rahane, Good length delivery outside off, slapped through point for a single.
16.2 : M Morkel to V Kohli, Taps it this back of a length delivery towards point.
16.3 : M Morkel to V Kohli, Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
16.4 : M Morkel to V Kohli, Length ball in the channel outside off, Kohli looks to defend but the ball just about kisses the outside edge.
16.5 : M Morkel to V Kohli, Drilled past the cover fielder to add two more to his tally.
16.6 : M Morkel to V Kohli, Plays with an angled bat towards backward point for nothing.
Andile Phehlukwayo is brought into the attack.
17.1 : A Phehlukwayo to A Rahane, Andile starts off with a loosener but had no pace on it, Rahane reaches out to play the cut shot but gets a bottom edge towards gully.
17.2 : A Phehlukwayo to A Rahane, The batsman defends it from within the crease.
17.3 : A Phehlukwayo to A Rahane, Gets it past the man at backward point for a single.
17.4 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, FOUR! Elan from VK! Gets a fuller delivery outside off, Kohli leans ahead and times his cover-drive stupendously to pick up a boundary.
17.5 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, Looks to go hard at the slower one outside off but connects only with thin air.
17.6 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, Pushes it towards mid off.
Imran Tahir to roll his arm over.
18.1 : I Tahir to A Rahane, Flighted delivery around middle and off, blocked off the front foot.
18.2 : I Tahir to A Rahane, Tossed up delivery outside off, Rahane looks to drive but gets it off the inner half through mid-wicket.
18.3 : I Tahir to A Rahane, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
18.4 : I Tahir to A Rahane, Eases the drive through cover for a single.
18.5 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Lunges forward and smothers it away.
18.6 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Loopy ball outside off, driven down to long off for a single.
19.1 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, FOUR! Up and over! Shortish ball outside off, Kohli takes full toll of it. He keeps his bat skywards and ramps it down to third man. A boundary results!
19.2 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, FOUR! Gorgeous! This bloke is just tremendous! Phehlukwayo fires it full on off, Kohli leans ahead and caresses it sweetly through covers. He now becomes the only batsman to score 500 runs or above in a bilateral ODI series. Phenomenal stuff, skippaaaa!
19.3 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, Hint of width outside off, slapped through point for a single.
19.4 : A Phehlukwayo to A Rahane, Played to mid-wicket region by the batsman. They pick up a single.
19.5 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, Stays back and taps it towards mid-wicket.
19.6 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, Plays it with an angled bat towards short third man for a dot to end the 20th over.
20.1 : I Tahir to A Rahane, Lunges forward to a tossed up ball and drives it down to long off for a single.
20.2 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Makes room and drives it through cover for another one.
20.3 : I Tahir to A Rahane, Very full, fired on the stumps, jammed out back to Tahir.
20.4 : I Tahir to A Rahane, Flatter and shorter on middle, pulled through mid-wicket for a single.
20.5 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Floated delivery on middle and leg, whipped off the inner half wide of mid on for a single.
20.6 : I Tahir to A Rahane, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
21.1 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, Shortish delivery, angling in on the body, Kohli shuffles across and tucks it through backward square leg for a brace.
21.2 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, Comes down the track to a length ball but doesn't go after it. Just keeps it out back to the bowler. Who got out while doing the same in the previous match, so this time he doesn't go for the lofted shot. Resists to keep it out.
21.3 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, Waits back to a fuller ball and works it towards mid-wicket.
21.4 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, Shortish delivery on middle, Kohli hangs back and swipes it through mid-wicket for a single.
21.5 : A Phehlukwayo to A Rahane, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
21.6 : A Phehlukwayo to A Rahane, Slower delivery outside off, Rahane waits back and defends it towards point.
22.1 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Quicker through the air, landed full outside off, driven straight to Amla at cover.
22.2 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Flatter and pushes even more quicker through the air, Virat leaves it alone.
22.3 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Short from Tahir, punched through mid on for a single.
22.4 : I Tahir to A Rahane, Fuller on off, driven past the cover fielder for a single.
22.5 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Loopy leg break, turning away around off, pushed in the gap at covers for one more.
22.6 : I Tahir to A Rahane, Flicked towards the square leg fielder. They want the single but then decide against it.
23.1 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, Slightly short outside off, Kohli looks to cut but gets a bottom edge which goes on the bounce to gully.
23.2 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, Punches it towards cover-point and sets off. The fielder there scores a direct hit at the striker's end and the ball ricochets further. Kohli is quick to call his partner through for another.
23.3 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
23.4 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, FOUR! Nailed it! Gets a short ball, sits up at a good height and Kohli pulls it over mid-wicket.
23.5 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, Fuller in length and angling in, Kohli looks to flick but gets a leading edge which evades short third man and the point fielder. The man in the deep is a bit squarer which allows them to get two. Good running!
23.6 : A Phehlukwayo to V Kohli, Punches it towards mid off and calls for the single. The fielder charges towards the ball but takes his eyes off. Single taken easily in the end.
24.1 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Flighted delivery outside off, pushed towards cover.
24.2 : I Tahir to V Kohli, FOUR! Was that a chance? Actually that went quickly! Loopy full toss on middle, Kohli smashes it straight back over Tahir who had no chance to react. Gets a boundary and moves into the 90s!
24.3 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Slower through the air, dabbed with an angled bat towards backward point.
24.4 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Quicker and flatter outside off, left alone.
24.5 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Quicker again outside off, punched through cover for a single.
24.6 : I Tahir to A Rahane, Loopy ball outside off, pushed into the cover region.
Chris Morris is back on.
25.1 : C Morris to V Kohli, Initiates the spell with a bouncer, Kohli lets it through. The bowler is lucky that it's not wided for height.
25.2 : C Morris to V Kohli, FOUR! With so ease he moves to 97! Morris over-corrects his length and bowls a juicy half-volley outside off. Kohli takes a stride forward and drives it crisply through covers for a glorious boundary.
25.3 : C Morris to V Kohli, Another bouncer, once again left alone by the Indian skipper.
25.4 : C Morris to V Kohli, Moves to 99! Back of a length delivery outside off, Kohli gets back and runs it down behind backward point. Rahane responds well for the second run.
25.5 : C Morris to V Kohli, Short in length and around off, Kohli mistimes his pull shot to mid on.
25.6 : C Morris to V Kohli, A bit short again, Kohli tries to dab and run but finds the point fielder.
26.1 : I Tahir to A Rahane, Flatter and shorter around off, Rahane hangs back and pushes it to covers.
26.2 : I Tahir to A Rahane, Googly landing around middle, spinning down, Rahane fails to flick and is hit on the pads. They appeal but to no avail.
26.3 : I Tahir to A Rahane, Gets forward to a full ball and blocks it safely.
26.4 : I Tahir to A Rahane, Leans forward to a full ball and defends it quietly.
26.5 : I Tahir to A Rahane, Flighted and full on off, driven through covers for a run.
26.6 : I Tahir to V Kohli, FOUR! Here it is, 35th ODI hundred for the Indian skipper! The chase master at his usual best. We have run out of adjectives to describe him. Just one word - Unstoppable! It's a flighted full ball again, around off, Kohli attacks it and drills it back past the bowler for a boundary down the ground. Usual business. Raises his arms in celebration and the Indian dressing room is on its feet to acknowledge the Captain Consistent!
27.1 : C Morris to A Rahane, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
27.2 : C Morris to A Rahane, Shortish and on off, Rahane fends it off towards point.
27.3 : C Morris to A Rahane, A touch short again, around off and angling in, Rahane turns it to mid-wicket.
27.4 : C Morris to A Rahane, Bouncer this time, Rahane allows it to get through.
27.5 : C Morris to A Rahane, FOUR! Off the edge! A wayward short ball this time, sliding down the leg side, Rahane top edges his pull shot and it screams away to the fine leg fence.
27.6 : C Morris to A Rahane, Short and on middle, Rahane pulls it from the meat of the bat and finds the fine leg fielder. Only a run this time.
28.1 : I Tahir to A Rahane, Tossed up ball on middle, landing full, it's hit down to long on for a run.
28.2 : I Tahir to V Kohli, DROPPED! Andile Phehlukwayo, the culprit. Full marks to the effort though. A mistimed lofted shot by Kohli, he attempted to go inside-out over extra cover but ended up slicing it over covers. Andile rushed in from the deep, put in the dive but failed to hold onto the catch. A single taken.
28.3 : I Tahir to A Rahane, Turns it off his pads to mid-wicket and collects a run.
28.4 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Knocks a full ball down to long on and crosses for one.
28.5 : I Tahir to A Rahane, Rahane has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
28.6 : I Tahir to A Rahane, Softly plays it on the leg side but finds mid-wicket.
Lungi Ngidi is back on.
29.1 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
29.2 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, Angles in a good length ball on middle, Kohli stays back and pushes it towards mid-wicket.
29.3 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, Fetches a short ball from outside off, tries to pull it across the line but fails to middle his shot properly. Finds mid on.
29.4 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, FOUR! A lazy shot from the bat of Kohli and it has gone for a boundary. He tries to pull a shortish ball from outside off but gets a top edge behind. It speeds away to fine leg for a boundary. 27 more needed!
29.5 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, Fuller and on middle, forced down to long on for a single.
29.6 : L Ngidi to A Rahane, Back of a length delivery on off, Rahane punches it to sweeper cover and takes a run.
30.1 : I Tahir to A Rahane, Flatter and fuller on middle, Rahane hits it down but finds mid on.
30.2 : I Tahir to A Rahane, A googly landing around off, on the shorter side, Rahane moves back and works it through the gap at covers for a run.
30.3 : I Tahir to V Kohli, A delicate shot by Kohli. Just waits for the ball to spin away and then glides it past first slip for a couple.
30.4 : I Tahir to V Kohli, SIX! Boom! If the last shot was cinderella, this was shriek! A leg spinner landing full around off, Kohli kneels and nails it over mid-wicket for a maximum. The victory is within sight now.
30.5 : I Tahir to V Kohli, SIX! Looking in a hurry now. Skips down the target and sends it sailing all the way over the bowler's head for a biggie. Effortless hitting!
30.6 : I Tahir to V Kohli, Full floated on off, drilled on the off side but straight to covers.
31.1 : L Ngidi to A Rahane, Wide! Slower delivery going down the leg side, Rahane tries to flick but misses. The keeper fumbles but nothing from it.
L Ngidi to A Rahane, This one is full and outside off, it's driven towards mid off.
31.2 : L Ngidi to A Rahane, Short delivery around off, a mistimed shot by Rahane to mid on.
31.3 : L Ngidi to A Rahane, Another short ball around off, it's pulled well this time to deep square leg for a run.
31.4 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, Rising delivery, outside off, Kohli tries to hook but misses.
31.5 : L Ngidi to V Kohli, Back of a length ball on middle, Kohli tickles it in front of square leg for a run.
31.6 : L Ngidi to A Rahane, FOUR! Short and wide outside off, Rahane latches onto the room and cracks it through covers. There is a sweeper in place but he cannot do much. Just retrieve the ball from the rope. 3 more needed.
32.1 : I Tahir to V Kohli, FOUR! Kohli hits it with authority and INDIA WIN BY 8 WICKETS (with 107 balls left)! Tahir tosses it up in the air and lands it full around off, the Indian skipper muscles it straight back past the bowler for a boundary. A warm hug from de Villiers to Kohli, they share a special bond and have tremendous respect for each other. Two of the very best in the business. Time for the customary handshakes as the players leave the field.
Another one-way traffic and the series ended as it was expected, 5-1 in favour of India! A win at the Bullring turned out to be an aberration and if not for the rain that evening, the outcome of this series could have been a clean sweep. Thoroughly outplayed, the Proteas!
Hats off to India for putting up yet another professional show. It was an inconsequential contest but they still brought their best game. There was plenty of intensity on the field and they bowled exceedingly well to bundle out South Africa for a paltry total. In reply, they did lose Rohit Sharma early but then the skipper, the chasemaster, combined forces first with Shikhar Dhawan and then with Ajinkya Rahane to see India home. In the process, many records tumbled in front of Virat and the most
As mentioned earlier, South Africa were once again outplayed in every facet of the game. Their batting showed no spine while the bowlers didn't have any answer (yet again) to the might of Virat Kohli. Two things which troubled them the most in this series - Wrist spinners and Virat Kohli. Clueless is the word to describe their plight. Lacked skills to deal with Kuldeep and Chahal, while didn't have enough quality to deal with the Indian skipper. Plenty of soul-searching to do.
South Africa skipper, Aiden Markram says it's a tough loss for them to gulp down. States they would sit down and think what went wrong. Feels the Indian players cashed in on the opportunity given and that is what matters. Opines he has learnt a lot in this series as a skipper and wants to rectify the mistakes as soon as he can. Hopes for a good show in the T20Is and is confident that his boys will come good. Is happy to have a break from 50-over cricket now.
Man of the Match and Series, Virat Kohli is really elated with the win. Starts the interview saying he was feeling great from the word go today. Informs the pitch played better under the lights than in the day. On the short-ball ploy, he calls it as a blessing in disguise which helped him off the blocks quickly. On scoring over 500 runs in the ODI series, he smiles and reckons it has been a rollicking tour for him. Thanks the people who are close to him and appreciates his wife for motivating hi
After a big fat interview with the Indian skipper, he has been handed the series trophy. He has a big smile on his face as he gets his hand on the silverware. Now the rest of his teammates join him and pose for some snapshots. Happy faces all-around. Thoroughly deserved it! Well played, India!
Okay then! South Africa take the Test series while India dominate the ODIs. As Kohli said in the interview, the battle doesn't end here. These two will now lock horns in a 3-match T20I series starting from Sunday, February 18th in Johannesburg. As a cricket fan, let's hope that the shortest format turns out to be a nail-biter. Do join us at 1430 local (1230 GMT) to catch all the action. Have a great weekend, folks. Cheers!