India v South Africa 4th ODI review: Kohli's ton levels series for India

India v South Africa 4th ODI review: Kohli’s ton levels series for India: A tantalizing series saw a one-sided equalizer, as Kohli’s ton guided India to a win and level the series 2-2. AB de Villiers tried to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, but his efforts went in vain as India won the match by 35 runs.

Earlier in the day, MS Dhoni won the toss and decided to bat on a pitch that was expected to get slower as the game progressed. Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina retained their spots in the side, as India made no changes to the squad.

In coming pacer Chris Morris got the in-form Rohit Sharma out cheaply and Dhawan soon followed him back as Quinton de Kock took a flier behind the wicket off Rabada.

Virat Kohli came in at number 3 and tucked the ball off the pads towards long leg to get off the mark.The Rahane-Kohli pair once again took the onus to construct a partnership, as the duo added 104 runs for the 3rd wicket at a run-rate of 5.67. The architect Kohli was on display, as the right-hander came down the pitch to take the ball on full, elevated it in the air for a maximum.

He constructed his innings beautifully by mixing singles with boundaries. He took the singles during the drought overs and waited for the odd bad balls.

On the other hand, Rahane’s quickfire 45 came to an end, as Steyn got the better of him. Kohli continued his tryst with Chennai, as the right-hander converted a low full toss for four runs, Steyn had no clue, while the scoreboard kept ticking. Raina finally came good with the bat, as he lofted Rabada’s pitched up delivery to the stands. He followed up the six with a boundary as he smashed a Morris delivery with a straight bat. Meanwhile,  in 14 innings since the World Cup as India were on the driving seat.

Suresh Raina after scoring 53 pulled a back of a length ball to the mid wicket, as De Villiers took a sitter. Kohli accelerated the tempo, as he lofted Tahir for a six. He was stiffening and cramping up, as India were getting closer to the 300 mark.

Only five runs came from Dale Steyn’s 48th over, while Kohli’s faint edge was caught by De Kock off Rabada in the next. India could manage only 9 runs from the last 2 overs, as Kohli’s 23rd century lifted the hosts to 299.

In reply, Hashim Amla got out early to Mohit Sharma. While Quinton de Kock’s 35 balls 43 came to an end as Harbhajan Singh spinned a web around him. Faf du Plessis got out cheaply to Axar Patel, as the score board read 79-3. David Miller was trapped by Harbhajan, as the crowd erupted with joy. AB de Villiers carried on the good work and played the sheet anchor’s role, as he kept on milking the Indian bowling attack.

He sent a low full toss from Mishra to the fence, while tapped the next one for a single. Behardien curbed his natural instinct and found the gaps at ease. He kept ticking for singles as De Villiers found the occasional boundary. Amit Mishra bowled one flatter outside off stumps as Dhoni clinged on to a catch, the Indian fielder’s appealed, but the umpire said no, replays showed there was a sound but Mishi was back to his mark.

The fifth ball of the 32nd over turned eventful, as Mishra trapped Behardien in front. He went for the sweep for the straighter ball that pitched on off, missed the ball and was hit in front of off stump, this time the finger went up as South Africa were struggling at 144-5. AB de Villiers kept on fighting a lone battle, while the Indian’s were on top.

The South African skipper took Kumar to the cleaners, as he smashed three boundaries in the 33rd over. He smacked Harbhajan for a boundary over long on in the 36th over and the pressure was back on the Indians.

Mohit Sharma trapped Morris, as the Indian went up appealing, AB ran for a single while Rahane hit a bulls eye and caught Morris well short. The threat of ABD loomed large as he towered Mishra for a six to reach cross into triple figures. The South African skipper stroked 10 boundaries and 2 sixes before he was caught behind off a short ball after a fighting and valiant century. The bouncer seamed in, AB went for the pull and got an edge for Dhoni to take it low in front of him.

The Chennai crowd applauded a fighting innings as Indians sensed a victory. Phangiso and Steyn couldn’t hold on for much duration as Bhuvneshwar Kumar hit back with two quick wickets.

49 runs were needed off 18 balls, as Rabada guided one over the fence. The South African tailender’s batted through the 50 overs, as India clinched a victory. South Africa made 264/9 in their full quota of 50 overs but ended 35 short of the target.

Brief Scores:

India – 299/8, 50 overs (Virat 138, Raina 53; Rabada 3-54)

South Africa – 264/9, 50 overs (AB de Villiers 112, Kock 43; Kumar 3-68)

India won by 35 runs

Man of the Match – Virat Kohli (India)