India captain Virat Kohli said it was amazing to lead from the front after his unbeaten 160 laid the platform for India's colossal 124-run win against South Africa in the third one-day international in Newlands, Cape Town. Kohli and India's spinners hammered South Africa again in the latest episode of a one-sided ODI series, winning the third game to go 3-0 up with three to play.
Kohli was colossal to make 160 not out from 159 balls - his second century of the series - and lead India to 303-6 after South Africa put the tourists in to bat.
"Well, (the tour) did not start off that well (for me). I knew I had to come in and get stuck in for us to give ourselves a good chance. I take that kind of mentality into every game. Another pleasing day, individually and as a team as well," Kohli said at the post-match presentation.
"I think the pitch started with good pace and bounce. After the 30-over mark it was a drastic change. We immediately cut down our target from 320-330 to 280-290 and ended up with 300-plus. The wicket got slower with the old ball," he added.
Kohli came to the crease at the end of the first over and again dominated his team's total with a brilliant one-day innings. Shikhar Dhawan's 76 in a 140-run partnership for the second wicket was also a significant part of the Indian effort.
"You had to get adjusted to the pace of the wicket. It got slower as the game progressed. If you lead from the front, it feels even better. Another outstanding partnership with Shikhar. He played outstandingly well. Few runs with MS and a good partnership with Bhuvi in the end helped us," Kohli said.
"I was struggling a bit while on 95 but I knew I had to carry on and pull the team out. These are times when you are tested and it is pleasing to go through it and do well," he added.
In a repeat of the first two games, South Africa couldn't deal with India spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, who took eight wickets between them at Newlands as the home team was bundled out for 179 in 40 overs.
"This wicket was not supposed to help the wrist spinners. These two got the maximum out of it. These two (Chahal and Kuldeep) back themselves. Today it was outstanding from them as they picked 8 wickets between them. We wanted to bat first and change things a bit. I think our intensity (for the next game) should be more than the previous games. We would try and close the door on them. Having an opportunity, we would take the confidence into the fourth game," he said.
