Dominant India wrapped up the six-match series 5-1

HIGHLIGHTS

• Skipper Virat Kohli led from the front to help India beat South Africa by eight wickets
• Dominant India wrapped up the six-match series 5-1
• Kohli remained unbeaten on 129 off 96 balls, which included two sixes and 19 fours

India brought in Shardul Thakur in place of out-of-form Bhuvneswar Kumar for the only change while the hosts went in with four changes.

The hosts duly obliged, helping his cause as their batting folded once again showing neither guts nor gumption on a wicket that was very good for batting. They folded for 204 in the 47th over and in reply, India cruised along despite losing Rohit Sharma early once again.

The India skipper,  With Friday’s knock, Kohli went past teammate Rohit Sharma for most runs in a bilateral series. Rohit had scored 491 against Australia in 2013-14

One of the best ODI innings I have seen in the recent past. Congratulations, @imVkohli! Excellent work by #TeamIndia to win an ODI series for the first time in South Africa. Way to go, boys✌️✌️ #SAvIND 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/IjAlV2YpHp

— Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) February 16, 2018

south Africa wasted a good start. With AB de Villiers and Khaya Zondo adding 62 in about 11 overs, it looked like they’ll put up a decent fight. But once De Villiers was out, misjudging the pace to Chahal delivery, the batting caved in.

Perhaps it was the fear of spinners that led them to give three of the top five wickets to medium-pacer Shardul Thakur while trying to attack him. And if it was, it showed how psyched they’ve been. More than skills, they’ve been found short on the mind.

Some stats from match

Five wins in an away bilateral series for India:

5-0 in Zim, 2013
5-0 in SL, 2017
*5-1 in SA, 2018

Most 100s as ODI captains:
22 R Ponting (220 innings)
*13 AB de Villiers (98)/ Virat Kohli (46)
11 S Ganguly (143)
10 S Jayasuriya (118)

It just 47 days in 2018 and Virat Kohli has crossed 500 runs(558) - the earliest an Indian batsman went past 500 in a calendar year. Previous best: 69 days by Sachin Tendulkar in 2003 (on 10 Mar).

Virat Kohli the first man to score 500 runs in a bilateral ODI series

Most runs in all bilateral ODI series:
558 Kohli  vs SA, 2018(6)

491 Rohit Sharma v Aus, 2013 (6)
478 G Bailey v Ind, 2013 (6)
467 H Masakadza v Ken, 2009 (5)

Most runs by a captain in a bilateral ODI series:558 VIRAT KOHLI (v SA, this series)
478 George Bailey (v Ind, 2013-14)
367 AB de Villiers (v Pak 2012-13)
358 AB de Villiers (v Ind 2015-16)
346 Kane Williamson (v Pak 2014-15)

Most runs in a bilateral ODI series in SA

558 V KOHLI v SA, 2018 (6 innings) *

454 K Pietersen v SA, 2005 (6)
413 H Amla v WI, 2015 (4)
410 F du Plessis v SL, 2017 (5)

Most wickets in a bilateral series for a team's spinners:38 SL v Eng in SL, 2014 (7 mat)
37 Ban v Zim in Ban, 2009 (5)
33 Ban v WI in Ban, 2012 (5)
33 Ind vs SA in SA, 2018 (6)
32 Ban v Zim in Ban, 2014 (5)
32 Zim v Ken in Ken, 2009 (5)

Most catches among Indian fielders:156 M Azharuddin (231 ODIs)
140 S Tendulkar (333 ODIs)
125 R Dravid (283 ODIs)
100 S Raina (223 ODIs)
100 V KOHLI (208 ODIs)

Most wickets in a bilateral series for a spinner:
18 A Mishra v Zim, 2013 (5)
17 KULDEEP YADAV this series *
16 Rashid Khan v Ire, 2017 (5)
16 Y CHAHAL, this series *

MoS & MoM: Virat Kholi

Brief score: India 206/2 in 32.1 overs (Virat Kohli 129*; Lungi Ngidi 2/54) beat South Africa 204 all out (Khaya Zondo 54; Shardul Thakur 4/52) by eight wickets. India won the six-match series 5-1