Virat Kohli ends ODI series with another century as India win easily to make it 5-1
India skipper Virat Kohli celebrates his century against South Africa during the sixth ODI at Centurion yesterday. Pic/AFP
Skipper Virat Kohli once again scored a century, his third of the series, while pacer Shardul Thakur scalped four for 52, his best figures in ODIs as India thrashed South Africa by eight wickets to seal the six-match series 5-1 here yesterday. Kohli, who scored his 35th ODI ton, stitched an unbeaten 126-run partnership with Ajinkya Rahane (34). Kohli, in particular, was the more aggressive, hitting 19 boundaries and two sixes during his 96-ball knock.
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Earlier, young Mumbai pacer Thakur, playing in only his second ODI, was impressive in his first spell, even though Aiden Markram (24) took him for two boundaries to start off the proceedings. Spinners Kuldeep Yadav (1-51) and Yuzvendra Chahal (2-38) finished with 33 wickets together in the series. Pacer Jasprit Bumrah (2-24) kept a check on the scoring with his guile at the other end.
India pacer Shardul Thakur
Markram and Hashim Amla (10) added 23 runs for the opening wicket before Amla was caught behind, pulling down leg side off a short ball from Thakur. The pacer struck for a second time within the first Powerplay as a clever change of pace foxed Markram completely, chipping a catch to Shreyas Iyer at cover, who caught it well.
It brought AB de Villiers (30) and Khaya Zondo (54 runs) to the crease, and they rebuilt the innings with a 62-run partnership for the third wicket. They rotated the strike well and looked to be positive even against the spinners, but that was not good enough.
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