New Delhi: South Africa for the first time has won an ODI series against India in India. The Proteas under the leadership of AB de Villiers have come out on the top as they won the fifth and the final match at Wankhade stadium in Mumbai buy a margin of huge 214 runs. Befor coming to this match both the teams were levelled at 2-2.
But today the South African players have hold thier nerves to first score a mammoth total of 438 runs and then dismissing the famed Indian batting line up for a mere 224 runs with 14 overs to be bowled.
Lets take a look at some of the key moments where South African proved a nothch higher then the Indians in the final ODI.
1) India'a lacklustre bowling: Indian bowlers were today hammered all around the park by the South African batsmen. It started with Quinton De Kock who notched up his second ODI century of the series targeted the Indian bolwers from the very beginning.
Bhuveneshwar Kumar gave away 106 runs in 10 overs , the worst by any Indian bowler in an ODI innings. Team India's all frontline bolwers were clobbered for runs. Mohit Sharma gave away 84 runs in his seven overs.
Harbhajan Singh who was the most experienced bowler also gave away 70 runs in his quota of 10 overs. Leg spinner Amit Mishra gave away 78 runs in his 10 overs and Axar Patel 65 runs from the 8 overs which he has bowled. Interestingly the best figures of the day belonged to Suresh Raina (1/19 in 3 overs).
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2) South Arica's top class batting: South Africa's batsmen came to the party when it mattered the most. Three South African batsmen scored a century out of thier top four batsmen. The instance is only the second time in ODI history. The earlier record is also with South Africa who did the same against West Indies earlier this year.
Quinton de Kock (109 off 87), Faf du Plessis (133 off 115) and AB de Villiers (119 off 61) just played with the Indian bowlers.De Kock has scored 5 centuries in 9 ODIs against India. Faf du Plessis 133 (retired hurt) continued to score at a brisk rate before finally leaving the field due to cramps.
AB de Villiers continued to inflict misery on Indian bowlers.
There were 229 runs added in the last 20 overs the greatest run fest seen in this series, and one of the most entertaining ever.
3) Failure of Team India's top order: In contrast terrific batting display by the South African batsmen a lot was expected from Indian top oreder batsman. However it was not the case. India's top order fell like a pack of cards in a move to score quick runs. Rohit Sharma who was having a good form at the start of the series today fell cheaply for just 16 runs. Rohit Sharma tried an upper cut which came down to land in Imran Tahir's hands.
Virat Kohli who scored a brilliant century in the last ODI game in a bid to up the ante also fell quickly for a mere 7 runs.
India were 44/2 in the 8th over with their two most impactful batsmen back in the pavilion.From there on it was a tough ask for the Indian batsmen to come back in the game.
4)Rahane's brief counter attack: It was Ajinkya Rahane who took the attack to the South African camp albeit for a short while. The time he was there Indian fans were hoping that India may sneak into the game.
Rahane played an innings which is generally not associated with him. He scored a 58 ball 87 runs in which he hit three sixes and nine fours. He had a 112 run partnership with Shikhar Dhawan, the highest for the Indian side during the match.
5) Kagiso Rabada South Africa latest bowling sensation: South Africa has always produced great fast bowlers over the years.
The present ODI series has now brought one such rising star from the African nation. Kagiso Rabada aged 20 only has by far the most impressive bowler between both the teams.
He has bowled at great pace throughout the series, often touching 150 kph, picking up 10 wickets in a series which has been largely dominated by spinners and batsmen.
Rabada registered figures of 4/41 in the fifth ODI which was otherwise completly dominated by the batsmen.
The two teams now will fight it out in the four-Test series to follow from November 5 in Mohali.
