South Africa vs India 2018, 5th ODI: Things which went right for the visitors
India proved too strong for South Africa as Virat Kohli's men won the 5th ODI by 73 runs to record their first-ever series win in South Africa on Tuesday.
Put in to bat by Aiden Markram, Rohit Sharma finally came good and scored his 17th century to help India cross the 200-run mark for the first time at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth.
In reply to India's 274/7, South Africa were all out for 201 in 42.2 overs. The visitors now lead the series 4-1 with the 6th and final ODI at SuperSport Park, Centurion on Friday, February 16.
Despite the result of Friday's match, India will finish the 6-match ODI series as number one side in the ICC ODI Rankings.
Now, let us have a look at things which went right for India.
#5 Hardik Pandya and wrist spinners' tight spells
Put in to bat, India were 180/3 in 32 overs and were looking well-set for a score in addition of 300, but suddenly they suffered a mini-collapse and lost 4 wickets for only 29 runs.
Lungi Ngidi came back stronger in his second spell, picking up a career-best 4 for 51 as India scored just 78 runs in last 15 overs and posted a target of 275 for South Africa.
The onus was then on the Indian bowlers to restrict the hosts and win the match for their team.
Jasprit Bumrah dismissed South Africa's stand-in skipper Aiden Markram (32) and gave the first breakthrough to India.
Soon after, JP Duminy and AB de Villiers were removed by Hardik Pandya putting the hosts in a spot of bother.
David Miller and Hashim Amla then stitched together a partnership of 62 runs and seemed to be walking away with the match when Yuzvendra Chahal's slower one forced Miller to race down the pitch.
Miller was left dumbfounded by Chahal's change of pace and the stumps were rattled.
In addition to taking crucial wickets, Chahal and Pandya kept South Africa's scoring under check as well. Pandya, in particular, gave away just 30 runs in his 9 overs and claimed two wickets.
Kuldeep Yadav, who was wicketless until the 35th over of South Africa's innings cleaned up their tail and finished the match with 4 wickets for 57 runs.