India lost the five-match ODI series against South Africa, who defeated the home team by 214 runs in the fifth ODI at Wankhede stadium in Mumbai . South Africa won the series 3-2.
The fifth and the final match in Mumbai was the series decider and India were batted out of the match after South Africa put up a mammoth total of 438 runs with three Proteas' batsmen -- Quinton de Kock, AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis -- finishing with centuries against their names.
South Africa, who won the important toss during the day, decided to bat first and their opener, Kock provided a solid platform for the rest of the batsmen to score quick runs. Kock started the innings brightly as he took the attack to seamers early on, scoring runs all over the park. Kock scored 109 runs off 87 runs.
With such a bright start, AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis took advantage of the situation and demolished India bowlers with their elusive hitting. Du Plessis had to retire hurt due to cramps and the batsman was congratulated by the members of the Indian team after a stupendous knock of 133 runs. However, de Villiers was dismissed for 119 from 61 balls.
Though de Villiers and du Plessis might have done all the big hitting, it was Kock's innings, which set to the tone for a victory. Plessis hit nine 4s and six 6s and de Villiers was even more dangerous with eleven 6s and three 4s.
None of the India bowlers were effective against South Africa as the Proteas' batsmen went hammer and tongs while the fielders looked helpless. Even spinners such as Harbhajan Singh, Amit Mishra and Axar Patel, who were all expected to be the key with the ball were taken to the cleanest. South Africa batsmen were even more ruthelss against the pacers.
Nothing was working for India, as they dropped some important catches during the game as well, which proved costly as they piled massive runs.
With such a mammoth total of 438 runs set by South Africa, in-form batsmen – Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli – were always going to be the key, but they failed, which dampened any hopes of an India win, if there were any. Rohit and Kohli fell for 16 and 7 runs respectively.
However, Ajinkya Rahane and Shikhar Dhawan, did give their best as they were involved in a partnership of 112 runs, which was providing a ray of hope, but that soon got extinguished as they fell for 87 and 60 runs respectively.
Other batsmen such as MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina, who both possess the game to help India emerge triumphant, failed, as they scored a paltry 12 and 27 runs respectively. India were dismissed for a total score of 224 runs by South Africa in the 36th over.
With it India have lost both the T20 as well as the ODI series.
Now, India and South Africa are set to face one another in the longer format of the game in a four-match Test series. The first Test match starts on 5 November in Mohali.
Watch 5th ODI complete highlights here.
Click here for AB de Villiers' ton.
Click here for de Kock's century and here for Plessis' ton.
