JOIN USIndia's wrist spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav (4/57) and Yuzvendra Chahal (2/43) came to the fore again, sharing six wickets between them, after Rohit Sharma had ended his run drought with an innings of 115 as India completed a historic ODI series win over South Africa here on Tuesday.
Notwithstanding Rohit's maiden ton on the South African soil, India could post only 274 for seven as they managed no more than 55 runs in the last 10 overs. The bowling, as has been the case through the tour, stood up again as India bowled out the hosts for 201 in 42.2 overs to register a comprehensive 73-run win and thereby clinch the series – their maiden win in South Africa – 4-1 with still a match to go.
This was also India's ninth consecutive bilateral ODI series' win as they confirmed their spot as the no.1 ranked side in ICC rankings.
Earlier, India failed to consolidate during the final 10 overs as they scored only 55 runs.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni's inability to push the run-rate during death overs was once again exposed as he managed only 13 off 17 balls and the dot balls that he played only increased pressure on lower order. It was Bhuvneshwar Kumar's 19 off 20 balls that took India past 270-run mark.
The highlight of the Indian innings was Rohit's century -- which is his 17th overall and 15th as an opener. He is now third behind Sachin Tendulkar (45 out of 49) and Sourav Ganguly (19 out of 22) with number of centuries as openers.
After being criticised for his poor show in the series till date and a pitiable average of 11.45 in 12 ODIs (in SA) with a highest score of only 23, Rohit finally played an innings of substance that had 11 boundaries and four sixes. In-form Shikhar Dhawan, however, stroked his way to 34 off 23 balls, with eight boundaries.
India raced off the blocks as the opening duo put on 48 in just 7.2 overs. Dhawan was looking good for many more, but Rabada tied him up with some short stuff. In response, the left-hander only managed to hole out straight to deep square leg. Rohit though had found his touch with a pulled six off Rabada in the sixth over. He was joined in the middle by Virat Kohli (36 off 54 balls, 2 fours), who played an uncharacteristic innings belying his rich form.
Sharma reached his half-century off 50 balls. He was dropped on 96, then took the responsibility of anchoring the innings on himself and took India past 200 in the 36th over while Sharma reached his milestone off 107 balls.