After a pause of almost two hours, South Africa’s total was revised to 202 from 28 overs.
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South Africa, who had beaten India in the World Cup a year ago, have not been able to compete with the sub-continental side in their own backyard.
India’s aura of invincibility in recent times took a hit as South Africa pulled off a spectacular chase to emerge victor by five wickets in the rain-curtailed fourth one-day global here tonight and stay alive in the series. Kohli looked unstoppable and the highlight of his innings was a straight six off Lungi Ngidi (2-52) as the batsman just walked down and launched him over the sightscreen. “Give credit to South Africa, they played with a lot of character and deserved to win”. A fourth consecutive win will also cement their spot as the no.1 side in ICC ODI Rankings.
137 off 146 balls v South Africa, MCG, 2015 India’s start to their World Cup opener began on a poor note with Rohit Sharma out for 0 in the third over, but led by Dhawan’s 137 they surged to a match-winning total of 307/7 at the MCG on February 22, 2015.
However, South African batters’ struggles against Indian spinners seems to be a more complex problem and De Villiers will need support from the other end if the hosts are to end India’s juggernaut in the ongoing series. Despite practicing with at least five different local wrist spinners at Newlands, the Proteas’ batting line-up still couldn’t contend with India’s first-choice spin duo. However, it remains to be seen if he will be deemed fit to play on Saturday.
South Africa’s innings was reduced to 28 overs, and the home team was given a target of 202, after a long delay for lightning and rain. Unsurprisingly, despite the downturn, Aiden Markram will continue leading the side. Only Kumar Sangakkara (482) from Sri Lanka, Adam Gilchrist (472) from Australia and Mark Boucher (424) from South Africa have matched this before.
The Proteas, wearing pink outfits in support of breast cancer awareness, seemed hapless as India’s left-hand-right-hand combination found the boundaries easily. But to the team, he brings so much more than runs, he brings AB de Villiers. In 2015, he had smashed 149 off just 44 balls against the West Indies.
Like India took heart from their unbeaten record in Tests at Wanderers before they won the third Test, Morris looks at their pink-day record with optimism. The unbroken sixth-wicket stand added 33 in 11 balls leaving an already stunned India shell-shocked.
It is simply not happening for Rohit Sharma. This century was Kohli’s second hundred of the series. India have an average record at this ground. SA won by seven wickets. With Rabada in charge of the final 10 overs, India could scramble only 59 runs.
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Speaking after the match in Cape Town, Kohli said: “I was cramping towards the end but knew I had to stay till the end to get us to 300”.
