India suffered a humiliating defeat in the 5th and final ODI of the series, which was also the series decider, by losing to the South Africans by a huge margin of 214 runs. This was the first ODI series win for the Proteas in India. Frankly, the match was very much over for India, even before they came to bat as South Africa had posed a mammoth total of 438/4.
Chasing an improbable target of 439, the hosts were bundled out for 224. The match which was expected to be a high-voltage clash, turned out to be one-sided affair, in the favour of the visitors. Some superior batting show from the South Africans and a terrible combined bowling and batting display from the Indians ruined the spectators’ mood at the Wankhede.
Here are the hits and flops from the match:
India:
Hits:
1) Ajinkya Rahane
Rahane was the only Indian who could put up some resistance from the Indian side. His fine innings of 87 kept the hopes of the fans alive in the game. Unfortunately apart from Dhawan, he got no support from the other end.
2) Shikhar Dhawan
Dhawan made 60 off 59 balls and was the second highest scorer amongst the Indians after Rahane. As long as the both (Dhawan and Rahane) were on the crease, India still had a little of hope of putting up a good fight.
Flops:
1) Rohit Sharma
As the target was extremely huge, everyone's hope was pinned on Sharma, as he is undoubtedly a special player and a very special innings was expected from him this evening on his home ground. But in the process, he got himself out in a disastrous fashion. He could only make 16 off 20 balls.
2) Suresh Raina
The entire series, barring the previous ODI, has been a nightmare for Raina and the final match was no exception. He once again could not deliver with the bat at a time when his team needed him the most. He fell to Rabada at 12 off 13 balls.
South Africa:
Hits:
1) AB de Villiers
De Villiers is undoubtedly one of the best and explosive batsmen in the world currently. He possesses the ability to change the fate of the game anytime with his bat and he proved it yet again. His stuuning innings of 119 off 61 balls, which included 4 fours and 11 sixes proved to be game changing.
2) Faf du Plessis
Before suffering a cramp in his legs and retiring hurt, Faf played a delightful innings of 133 to help his team to get to a position of solidarity from where road to victory was just a matter of time.
3) Quinton de Kock
It was a perfect ending for the young de Kock as he struck a wonderful and inspiring century (109 off 87 balls) in the decider ODI which gave South Africa a perfect start and also winning the Man of the Match Award.
4) Kagiso Rabada
Rabada has been the find of this series for South Africa. The 20-year-old clinched four wickets to ensure South Africa's maiden ODI series victory in India.
