6 Best knocks of the India v South Africa ODI Series

6 Best knocks of the India v South Africa ODI Series: The 5-match series between India and the Proteas provided some riveting cricket. It witnessed many twists and turns and was a closely fought series until the final which was a one sided affair. There were some magnificent knocks played by batsmen from both teams. Here’s a look at 6 Best knocks of the India v South Africa ODI Series: 1. AB de Villiers 104* at Kanpur: AB de Villiers. (Photo Source: BCCI) On a tricky two-paced pitch, de Villiers played a magnificent knock, mixing caution with aggression and carried his bat through. Coming into bat at 104/2 in 23.2 overs, he took time to gauge the pace and bounce on offer. At the end of 34 overs, he had faced 30 balls and scored only 18 run post which he decided to step on the accelerator and increase the South African run rate. He completed his half-century in the 42nd over and what followed was absolute carnage. He took the likes of Binny, B Kumar and Yadav to cleaners. With 2 overs remaining the South African skipper still need 20 more runs to complete his hundred and on the last ball he needed 2. He lofted an awesome six which ultimately proved the difference. SA won the dramatic match by 5 runs. Also Read – India v South Africa ODI series – Indian player ratings 2. Rohit Sharma 150 at Kanpur: Rohit Sharma. (Photo Source: BCCI) No stranger to scoring big hundreds in ODIs, Rohit’s knock which thoroughly entertained a packed house at Kanpur was some of the cleanest ball-striking one could wish to see. Rohit paced his innings to perfection and kept producing big shots to keep the asking rate in check. He brought up his 100 off only 98 balls in the 36th and after he got out for 150 off 132 balls in the 46th over of the innings. India needed someone to play the kind of knock de Villiers played and Rohit did so in fine style. By the time he was dismissed, on 150 off 133 balls, India needed 35 off 23 balls; well placed to overhaul the SA score. Unfortunately the lower order, especially MS Dhoni batted poorly and India lost the match which it should have easily won. Although his efforts went in vain, Rohit’s knock was a special one and a delight to watch. 3. MS Dhoni 92* at Indore: MS Dhoni. (Photo Source: BCCI) Dhoni had faced a lot of criticism from all quarters for his inability to get the big hits when required, which also resulted in India losing the first ODI. Dhoni walked into bat with his team struggling at 82/3 at the end of 18 overs. India further slumped to 125/6 at the end of 30 overs. He batted sensibly reaching his half-century in the 43rd over and from here on he cut loose. Dhoni finished unbeaten on 92 and India reached a challenging total of 247/9. This was the knock of the match which ultimately made the difference. India won the match by 22 runs and leveled the series. Dhoni’s courageous knock gave the Indian team the confidence it needed to compete against the Proteas. 4. Quinton de Kock 103 at Rajkot: Quinton De Kock. (Photo Source: BCCI) The talented left-hander’s record against India is spectacular and it continued at Rajkot. The pitch looked good for batting though the hot temperature provided a challenge which de Kock managed to overcome. He was fluent in his stroke play through the covers and down the ground. He brought up his fifty in the 21st over of the innings when South Africa’s score was 94/2. He did not take any undue risks against the spinners, who were bowling well, but was severe against the fast bowlers particularly with wonderful straight drives. His contribution took SA to a competitive score of 270/7 from 50 overs and it proved the difference as South Africa won the match by 18 runs. He was the only batsman from either sides to score a century on a pitch which slowed down as the match progressed. 5. Virat Kohli 138 at Chennai: Virat Kohli. (Photo Source: BCCI) Kohli had the determined look in his eyes from the time he walked into bat. The South African bowlers had managed to start well on a sluggish pitch which looked a difficult one to score freely on. Kohli arrived at the fall of the first wicket of Rohit and India were on 28 off 4.5 overs. Singles, doubles and boundaries in the heat of Chennai kept pushing India’s scoring rate higher and higher. He put the pressure back on the visitors by not letting any bowler settle and stamped his authority on the match. His brilliant 138 got India to 299 and helped them level the series 2-2 with a 35-run victory. 6. AB de Villiers 119 at Mumbai: AB de Villiers. (Photo Source: Associated Press) A knock-out punch in the final was delivered by the best batsman in the world who scored his 3rd century of the series. He literary toyed with the Indian bowler on a batting paradise. A breathtaking innings of 119 from just 61 balls took his team to an incredible 438 which ensured a commanding win by 214 runs. He hammered 11 sixes and 3 fours in arguably the most flamboyant ODI innings ever played in India. The fans were thoroughly entertained and will remember this special knock for years to come. The batting genius saved his best for the last ensuring a series win for South Africa, their first ever in the country. He was adjudged the Man of the Series for his remarkable batting exploits. Also Read – India v South Africa ODI series – South Africa player ratings