Video Highlights: Quinton de Kock's blinder, Virat Kohli's celebration and MS Dhoni's return of favour to crowd
The ongoing 4th ODI between India and South Africa is a must-win encounter for the hosts, who are chasing a 1-2 deficit in the 5-match series which concludes this Sunday. India finished their innings at 299/8, after having lost quick wickets in the last four overs.
Both Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan were dismissed within the first 8 overs, leaving the task of rescuing the innings to Virat Kohli and the middle order. Dhawan looked unsure in his short stay at the crease, and was out after an edge of Kagiso Rabada’s bowling was held on in spectacular fashion by wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock.
Dhawan’s dismissal (Credit: Indian Cricket Team Facebook page)
And this time he gets it! 4th Paytm ODI #INDvsSA
Posted by Indian Cricket Team on Thursday, October 22, 2015
Kohli and Rahane went about the job at hand admirably, in due time making the South Africans look short of ideas. Their 104-run partnership set up the stage for Suresh Raina, and later MS Dhoni, to come into the crease and play aggressively.
Kohli reached his fifty in 51 balls, playing some glorious shots along the way, as the Chennai crowd erupted.
Kohli reaches 50 (Credit: Indian Cricket Team Facebook page)
Virat Kohli gets to his fifty. Played some gorgeous shots along the way. 4th Paytm ODI #INDvsSA
Posted by Indian Cricket Team on Thursday, October 22, 2015
Even as Rahane fell to Dale Steyn, Kohli continued on his rampage, bringing up his 1st ODI ton against South Africa in 112 balls. He danced down the track and hit a six to bring up the century – perhaps a tribute to the mercurial Virender Sehwag, who announced his retirement earlier this week.
What is for sure though is that the 12-innings run drought is over, and the floodgates have opened. Kohli finished with 138, clearly struggling with fatigue and cramps towards the end of his stay. He managed to hit six fours and five sixes – another stat that will have pleased Sehwag.
Kohli reaches 100 (Credit: Indian Cricket Team Facebook page)
A century with a Six! Was that Virat Kohli tribute to Virender Sehwag? 4th @Paytm ODI #INDvsSA
Posted by Indian Cricket Team on Thursday, October 22, 2015
Suresh Raina enjoyed a return to form, but there was a heartwarming moment immediately after he fell for well-earned 53 off 52 balls. MS Dhoni walked into the field with the last ball of the 45th over to go, as the Chennai crowd rose to give him a warm applause.
And the former CSK captain returned the favour, pulling the very first ball for a boundary.
Dhoni hits first ball for four (Credit: Indian Cricket Team Facebook page)
He walks in, the crowd goes crazy. He thanks them like this. 4th Paytm ODI #INDvsSA
Posted by Indian Cricket Team on Thursday, October 22, 2015