India vs South Africa 4th ODI: Ton-up Kohli leads India to 35-run win over Proteas

India defeated South Africa by 35 runs in the fourth one-day international in Chennai on Thursday to level the five-match series 2-2.

India powered to 299-8 on the back of Virat Kohli's 138 and then restricted the tourists to 264-9, despite a heroic 112 off 107 balls by skipper AB de Villiers at the Chidambaram stadium.

Seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed three wickets and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh took two.

The fifth and final match will be played in Mumbai on Sunday.

Scoreboard:

India:

R. Sharma c du Plessis b Morris 21
S. Dhawan c de Kock b Rabada 7
V. Kohli c de Kock b Rabada 138
A. Rahane c de Kock b Steyn 45
S. Raina c de Villiers b Steyn 53
M. Dhoni c de Villiers b Steyn 15
H. Singh b Rabada 0
A. Patel not out 4
B. Kumar run out 0
Extras: (lb3, w12, nb1) 16
Total (for eight wickets, 50 overs) 299
Fall of wickets: 1-28 (R. Sharma), 2-35 (Dhawan), 3-139 (Rahane), 4-266 (Raina), 5-291 (Kohli), 6-291 (Singh), 7-299 (Dhoni), 8-299 (Kumar)
Bowling: Steyn 10-0-61-3 (w1), Rabada 10-0-54-3 (w5), Morris 9-0-55-1 (w4), Phangiso 9-0-51-0 (w1), Tahir 9-0-58-0 (nb1), Behardien 3-0-17-0 (w1).

South Africa:

Q. de Kock c Rahane b Harbhajan 43
H. Amla c Dhawan b M. Sharma 7
F. du Plessis c Dhoni b Patel 17
AB de Villiers c Dhoni b Kumar 112
D. Miller lbw b Harbhajan 6
F. Behardien lbw b Mishra 22
C. Morris run out 9
A. Phangiso c Patel b Kumar 20
D. Steyn c Rahane b Kumar 6
K. Rabada not out 8
I. Tahir not out 4
Extras: (lb3, w5, nb2) 10
Total (for nine wickets, 50 overs) 264
Fall of wickets: 1-36 (Amla), 2-67 (de Kock), 3-79 (du Plessis), 4-88 (Miller), 5-144 (Behardien), 6-185 (Morris), 7-233 (de Villiers), 8-250 (Phangiso), 9-250 (Steyn).
Bowling: Kumar 10-0-68-3 (nb1, w4), M. Sharma 10-0-48-1 (nb1, w1), Harbhajan 10-0-50-2, Patel 10-0-40-1, Mishra 10-1-55-1.

India won by 35 runs, level five-match series 2-2.
Toss: India
Umpires: Sundaram Ravi (IND) and Chettithody Shamshuddin (IND)
TV umpire: Anil Chaudhary (IND)
Match referee: Chris Broad (ENG)

India rode on a century from Virat Kohli (138) to post a 35-run win over South Africa and level the five-day ODI series at 2-2 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday.

After winning the toss and electing to bat the hosts were rocked early when Rohit Sharma (21) and Shikhar Dhawan (7) departed early. But Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane (45) put on 104 for the third wicket and then Kohli and Suresh Raina (53) blasted 127 for the fourth wicket to put India in firm control.

Kohli began cramping towards the end but got to his 23rd ODI hundred. However runs dried up despite skipper Dhoni too at the crease.

In the last 10 overs the hosts managed only 69 runs.

Steyn and Rabada who choked the runs for the hosts in the slog overs were impressive with three wickets each.

South Africa's chase was led by their skipper AB de Villiers who scored a magnificent 112 from 107 balls which had two sixes and 10 boundaries. But he lacked support from the rest and the Proteas were restricted to 264 for 9.

Rahane takes a good catch as Steyn tries a big hit.

Dale Steyn c Rahane b Kumar 6 (7b 1x4 0x6)

Phangiso throws his bat and mistimes and is out. SA 250-8, 46.3 overs.

Aaron Phangiso c Patel b Kumar 20 (22b 1x4 0x6)

Phangiso is keeping the match alive with a couple of boundaries.

De Villiers plays a tired shot and edges to Dhoni.

AB de Villiers c Dhoni b Kumar 112 (107b 10x4 2x6)

De Villiers launches into Mishra to toss him over for a six and reach his hundred. What an innings. SA know as long as he is at the crease they have a chance.

SIX! De Villiers rips into Harbhajan hoisting him for a huge six.

De Villiers moves into the 90s as SA are 200 for 6 after 40 overs.India were 230-3.

Morris is rapped on the pads but is not out. However De Villiers calls for a run and Rahane hits the non-striker's end to catch Morris stranded. SA 185-6, 38.1 overs. 

Chris Morris run out 9 (18b 1x4 0x6)

De Villiers is taking on the challenge with gusto, playing shots all over the wickets, the sweep shot and reverse sweep, etc.

De Villiers gets to his 50, playing a lone hand in the chase as wickets keep tumbling around him.

Behardien survives a caught behind but is plumb two deliveries later. SA 144-5, 31.5 overs.

Farhaan Behardien lbw b Mishra 22 (38b 1x4 0x6)

De Villiers and Behardien put on a 50-run partnership from 69 balls to steady the South African innings.

ESCAPE! De Villiers survives after he charges out and misses a Mishra delivery and the ball goes to Raina at first slip who has a shy at the wicket but misses with De Villiers stranded out.

South Africa are 124 for 4 after 25 overs. India at this stage were 135 for 2.

FOUR! A streaky boundary from Behardien as the ball finds its way between Dhoni and Raina.

Harbhajan strikes again rapping Miller right in front of the wicket.

David Miller lbw b Harbhajan Singh 6 (12b 1x4 0x6)

FOUR! A boundary for SA finally after 10 overs.

Patel strikes getting an edge although du Plessis is unhappy with the decision but Dhoni and the bowler are confident. SA 79-3, 15 overs.

Faf du Plessis c Dhoni b Patel 17 (34b 1x4 0x6)

Du Plessis is hit on the elbow at the non striker's end by a powerful drive from his skipper De Villiers and needs attention.

Harbhajan gets de Kock to edge one to Rahane. SA 67-2, 11.3 overs

Quinton de Kock c Rahane b Harbhajan Singh 43 (35b 6x4 1x6).

SIX! De Kock slams Bhuvneshwar over mid-wicket.

FOUR! De Kock is in full flow despite the wicket of Amla. He brings up South Africa's 50 with a boundary.

Amla tries to go after Mohit Sharma and pulls him to Dhawan at short mid-wicket. SA 36-1, 5.1 overs.

Hashim Amla c Dhawan b MM Sharma 7 (11b 0x4 0x6)

FOUR! De Kock is in full flow making the most of a free-hit from a no-ball by Mohit Sharma.

FOUR! De Kock is on the go again spanking Bhuvneshwar for runs.

India innings

India rode on a century from Virat Kohli (138) to post 299 for 8 from their 50 overs against South Africa in the fourth ODI at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday.

After winning the toss and electing to bat the hosts were rocked early when Rohit Sharma (21) and Shikhar Dhawan (7) departed early. But Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane (45) put on 104 for the third wicket and then Kohli and Suresh Raina (53) blasted 127 for the fourth wicket to put India in firm control.

Kohli began cramping towards the end but got to his 23rd ODI hundred. His 138 came from 140 balls with six fours and five sixes.

But the runs dried up despite skipper Dhoni too at the crease.

In the last 10 overs the hosts managed only 69 runs.

Steyn and Rabada who choked the runs for the hosts in the slog overs were impressive with three wickets each.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar run out 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)

Rabada strikes again to get rid of Harbhajan but misses his hat-trick as Axar patel defends..

Harbhajan Singh b Rabada 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)

Kohli tries to pull Rabada down leg side and is caught behind by de Kock.

Virat Kohli c de Kock b Rabada 138 (140b 6x4 5x6)

SIX! Tahir is getting the stick here from Kohli but the batsman is cramping.

Raina plays a tired-looking shot and Steyn bags his second wicket. Ind 270-4, 45 overs.

Suresh Raina c de Villiers b Steyn 53 (52b 3x4 1x6)

DROPPED! De Villiers drops a skier from Raina. Bad luck to Tahir as he would have had the left-hander for the third time in the series.

SIX! Kohli hits Tahir over long-on

Kohli and Raina put on 100 runs for the fourth wicket..

FOURS! Runs keep flowing from Kohli's blade and Phangiso is the culprit. Ind 230-3, 40 overs. 

FOUR! Raina finds the gap between bowler and mid-on.

SIX! What a way to bring up his 100 as Kohli steps out and lofts Phangiso over mid-on.

SIX! Raina looks a little more confident after his failured in the previous three ODIs easily pulling Rabada over mid-on.

FOUR! Raina hits Rabada over his head to bring up the 50-run partnership with Kohli. Ind 191-3, 35 overs 

LUCKY! Kohli has no clue to this snorter from Rabada and the ball falls short of Rabada who makes a valiant effort for a return catch. Kohli escaped a run-out a little earlier and then his pull shot of Rabada falls short of a fielder. Kohli seems to have hit a panic button here as he moves into his 90s.

FOUR! Kohli smashes Tahir straight past the bowler, boundary after a long time.

Drinks

Ind 169-3, 32 overs.

FOUR! Kohli hits a full toss from Steyn down the ground through mid-off.

Rahane gets an inside edge and Steyn ends the 104-run partnership between him and Kohli. Ind 135-3, 26.1 overs.

Ajinkya Rahane c de Kock b Steyn 45 (53b 4x4 0x6)

Kohli and Rahane bring up the 100-run partnership from 104 balls and India, after an early stutter, are looking good for a big total now.

FOUR! Rahane finds the gap between cover and mid-on as Morris is disappointed with himself.

Kohli and Rahane have steadied the Indian ship with an 80-ball 80 run partnership so far.

FOURS! Rahane gets it fine towards leg all the way to the ropes although Morris thought he had hit the stump. But the next delivery Rahane is in control and guides it through third man.

Kohli taps Morris to mid-off and charges to the other end for a single to bring up his 50.

FOUR! Kohli shows silken touch as he glides Tahir past the keeper.

Drinks

SIX! Kohli gets on one leg and into position to pull Tahir over mid-on.

FOURS! Good timing from Rahane as he slices Steyn through covers and then Kohli gets into the act thumping the speedster through the same area.

SIX! Kohli plays with a straight bat as he steps out to loft Phangiso over his head.

Dhawan tries to pull a short ball from Rabada but only manages to get his glove to it. The ball flies off towards leg side where de Kock takes a few steps and then lunges forward to take a superb diving catch to his right. Ind 35-2, 8 overs.

Shikhar Dhawan c de Kock b Rabada 7 (15b 0x4 0x6)

Kohli survives a close call. In trying to hook Rabada he edges down the leg side where de Kock makes a valiant bid to catch.

Rohit falls to an easy shot playing into the hands of du Plessis. Ind 28-1, 5 overs.

Rohit Sharma c du Plessis b Morris 21 (19b 4x4 0x6)

FOUR! Rohit stands tall and plays a well controlled pull short over mid-wicket. The crowd is on its feet now.

FOURS! Rohit pulls Morris twice over short fine leg, the second one just hitting Rabada's fingertips.

Dale Steyn is replaced by Chris Morris after bowling only one over.

FOUR! Rohit Sharma flicks Rabada in the air over mid-wicket for four.

India to go with the same squad, while South Africa captain De Villiers makes two changes. Morne Morkel and JP Duminy are ruled out and in comes Chris Morris and Aaron Phangiso.

Teams

India: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Axar Patel, Harbhajan Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohit Sharma, Umesh Yadav.

South Africa: Quinton de Kock, David Miller, Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers, Farhaan Behardien, Chris Morris, Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir, Aaron Phangiso.

Preview

India will be battling for survival in the fourth one-day international against South Africa in Chennai in a must-win game on Thursday.

Having conceded the Twenty20 series 2-0, Dhoni's India are trailing 2-1 in the five-match series.

The MA Chidambaram Stadium pitch in Chepauk is expected to produce another run-feast but in all three previous matches the team chasing has choked.

South Africa won a high-scoring thriller in Kanpur by five runs despite a brilliant 150 by Rohit Sharma.

India inspired by Dhoni's blistering knock of 92 not out defended a small total of 247-9 for a series-levelling 22-run win at Indore.

Proteas coasted to an 18-run win choking Dhoni and Kohli in the middle overs to restrict India to 252-6 after making 270-7 riding on Quinton de Kock's 103 and Morne Morkel four-wicket haul.

The last time the iconic Chepauk hosted an ODI was way back in 2012 - a day match between India and Pakistan.

Going into the Chennai fixture, India are grappling with a bit of negativity surrounding Amit Mishra's alleged assault on a female friend in Bangalore and Pakistan umpire Aleem Dar's return home due to security fears.

Both teams have been rejigging their batting order with Kohli returning to his favourite No.3 slot at the expense of Rahane while Miller opened the batting for Proteas pushing down Amla.

South Africa will miss in-form allrounder JP Duminy with Dean Elgar replacing him.

The visitors are also sweating over the fitness of Morne Morkel - who put in a match-winning performances in the third ODI in Rajkot with figures of 4-39.

"I'm not confident I'll be ready for the next game. It's just a matter now of the next 24 hours," Morkel had said after the victory in the third ODI.

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