By: Drcricket7 Staff
Till the fourth match of the ODI series between India and South Africa, it was neck-and-neck. That is why the fifth match was expected to be another nail-biting contest.
But it turned out to be a one-sided affair. South Africa humiliated India and won the ODI series with a 3-2 margin after their T20 series win against the same opposition.
In front of a packed Wankhede stadium, the fifth match of the series also turned out to be a record-breaking game for the touring South African side.
They not only posted a huge 438 for four from 50 stipulated overs, but also a scored a record 272 runs from fours and sixes. In reply, India folded up for 224 and, eventually, lost the match by 214 runs (the second largest defeat).
In totals, the South African struck 38 fours and 20 sixes. To start with, Quinton de Kock scored a superb century in hot and humid conditions, his fifth against India and eight overall, to give his team the much needed momentum in the all-important match.
Thereafter, Faf du Plessis scored another 133 before retiring hurt. Their captain AB de Villiers (119 off 61) too joined the party with his 23rd ODI century, the third of the series, to push India completely out of the game.
The only top-order batsmen who missed out on scoring big was their opener Hashim Amla. Otherwise, South Africa had three centurion in the match, which equaled the world record. De Villiers also became the only captain to register three centuries in a bilateral series.
In comparison, India were in the game for the first five deliveries of the match when the strike bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled five dot ball.
Thereafter, South Africa took charge and destroyed the Indian bowling. Today was a rare days when the Indian spinners too couldn’t stop the flow of runs. Most of them produced one of the worst economy rate of their careers.
The target was so big that even the batsmen dropped their shoulders before the chase started. While playing at home, middle-order batsman Ajinkya Rahane did play an impressive knock of 87 and tried to repair the Indian innings with Shikhar Dhawan (60 off 59 balls), but it was enough after his team lost Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohl early.
After Rahane, Dhawan and MS Dhoni were out, the match was as good as over. In the end, South Africa won a bilateral series in India for the first time, with Rabada taking four wickets.
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