India v South Africa 5th ODI, Mumbai: 5 Talking Points
India v South Africa 5th ODI, Mumbai: 5 Talking Points: It turned out to be a run-feast at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai but only for South Africa. India were in the game when Rahane and Dhawan were at the crease but after the latter departed it was just a downhill slide. The monstrous total set by the tourists, the third highest score in ODIs – 438 was never going to be a probable proposition. Though India have chased over 350 totals twice against the Aussies in 2013, this was a bit too much. During the South African innings, Indian bowlers were smacked as though it was a shooting range and spectators ducked for cover in the stands.
De Kock, AB and Faf du Plessis got to fantastic centuries as South Africa made their second score of 438, the highest in a one day game in India. AB was particularly severe hitting 119 of just 61 balls. India tried their level best but were dismissed for 224 meaning giving South Africa a victory by 214 runs. This was also the first time they won an ODI series in India. The hosts suffered their 2nd largest defeat in ODIs and have a lot of soul searching to do. Here are:
India v South Africa 5th ODI: 5 Talking Points
1. Quinton de Kock: Murdering the Indian bowling:
The South African wicket keeper batsman has been a thorn in the flesh for the Indians on more occasions than one. Till this match all his 4 hundreds against Indians helped his team construct memorable victories. And as soon as he hit a few free flowing fours, we knew something special was coming. He took full advantage of some lacklustre Indian bowling by the pacers and then was pretty severe on all three tweakers after getting his eye in. He brought up a devastating century off just 78 balls, his fifth against India in nine innings and set up a fantastic platform for AB de Villiers to go beserk which he did to full effect. Every time Quinton has reached a fifty, he has converted it into a century against India.
2. AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis – The game changing partnership:
First things first, it is not uncommon if cricket analysts are running out of adjectives and theories to describe this AB de Villiers knock. And quite justly Wankhede stood as they chanted “ABD ABD” and whoever witnessed this superb innings live was feeling lucky and obliged. His fifty came off just 34 balls and he took 23 more to get to an unbelievable century. 11 fours 18 sixes and a 164 run partnership with Faf du Plessis, what more can you ask for. Despite battling cramps du Plessis scored a fabulous ton (133 off 115 balls). In the 43rd over bowled by Axar Patel, he played a volley of thunderous strokes by thwacking three sixes and a boundary. The visitors carted 20 sixes in an sensational display of hitting.
3. The horrible Indian bowling figures:
106, 84, 70, 65, 78. Those would look good on any batting card. Only that is the Indian bowling card. Only that is the Indian bowling card. A flat pitch and short boundaries did not help their cause. Bhuvneshwar went for 106 runs in his quota of 10 overs, the most by an Indian in ODIs. They could not pull things back once South Africa laid the base in the first few overs.
There was barely any turn for the spinners and the quick bowlers insisted on bowling too short even with AB and Faf du Plessis pulling and hooking merrily. It also meant South Africa made 438 for the second time in ODIs. India would also rue dropping the catches. Mohit Sharma managed to escape the 100 run mark only by virtue of not completing his quota. His economy rate of over 12 was dismal. The only bowler, who offered some control for MS Dhoni was Harbhajan Singh.
4. The early jolts to India:
Chasing a massive 439, the only chance India had was getting to quickfire and solid start. None was on display. Despite getting a let off by de Cock behind the stumps, Rohit failed to capitalize and charged to an Abbot delivery only to be caught by Tahir at third man. That brought Virat Kohli, India’s man for big chases to the crease. And he looked to take it from where he left Chennai when he hit that massive six over fine leg. But his stay was a short live one as Rabada got a full wide one to catch the edge of Kohli’s bat. And that took the stink out of India’s enthusiasm. Either one of Rohit or Kohli needed to score a huge ton for India to come close and those were eventually decisive wickets in the context of the game. Both were guilty of ordinary shot selection.
5. Rahane- Dhawan Partnership and the subsequent surrender:
Ajinkya Rahane and Shikhar Dhawan were not ready to give up as India reached 96 for two in 16 overs. Both were taking calculated risks against the quick bowlers and were helped by the fielders dropping some dollies. Rahane was playing an uncharacteristic blinder as India looked on course. But when Dhawan departed for 60 the innings just went into doldrums. Raina missed a Rabada Yorker and Rahane followed soon.
Jinx made 87 off 58 balls in a lone battle. India quickly slipped to 219 for 9 as Dhoni was struggling to middle the deliveries. And it wasn’t long when South Africa won the game by 214 runs as India folded out for 224 in 36 overs. Kagiso Rabada was once again amongst the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 4-41 while Dale Steyn also did considerable damage with three scalps. This was India’s first bilateral series loss at home after 2012.
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