South Africa vs India 2018, 5th ODI: Hits and Misses
The Indian Cricket Team created history with their 73-run win over South Africa in at Saint George's Park in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday (February 13). With this victory, Virat Kohli and Co. took an unassailable lead of 4-1 in the bilateral series, becoming the first Indian team to do so on the South African soil.
After being put in to bat first, India rode on the back of a gutsy century from Rohit Sharma to set a target of 275 for the hosts. In the second innings, the South Africans failed to stitch meaningful partnerships in the middle, which led to the downfall of their batting order. They capitulated in less than 43 overs to hand the match, and the series, to the Men in Blue.
With the series in their kitty already, the hosts will now look to experiment with their starting line-up in the last game, which will be held at the Centurion on February 16.
#5 Hit: Hardik Pandya
While the Indian all-rounder could only manage a golden duck with the bat, he had a terrific day in the field. He picked up two massive wickets, that of AB de Villiers and JP Duminy, and also affected a terrific run-out to dismiss Hashim Amla, who was looking in control at 71.
It is worth a mention that this was twice in two games that Pandya has managed to get the better of De Villiers. He hasn't been able to fire as a batsman so far in the ODI series but has done his job effectively when called on to bowl by the Indian skipper.
As if he had not done enough already, the youngster avoided an ugly collision with Shikhar Dhawan to take a one-handed catch in the deep to send the 9th Proteas batsman packing in 42nd over of the innings.