South Africa kept the series alive with a 5 wickets win over India in the 4th ODI played at Johannesburg just finished a few moments ago. Winning the toss, team India elected to bat. Apart from Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni helped Men in Blue post 289 for 7
Indian captain Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to bat at Johannesburg. Rohit Sharma again disappointed with another low score being dismissed for 5 runs by Kagiso Rabada. Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan steadied the innings scoring 53 runs at the end of 10 overs. Both batsmen continued to dominate South African bowlers with good running and attacking strokeplay. Playing his 100th ODI match, the stylish left-handed batsman reached his third consecutive fifty off 53 balls. Captain Kohli produced another half-century off 56 balls.
Chris Morris dismissed the well-set captain Kohli for 75 runs. Both Kohli and Dhawan put on 158 runs for the second wicket. Dhawan reached his century off 99 balls. Rain arrived when the score was 202 for 2. After the rain break, South Africa took the wickets of Dhawan and Rahane in quick succession. The Indian batsmen could score many runs in last 10 overs. Sheryas Iyer, Hardik Pandya also could not contribute much. MS Dhoni remained not out on 42. Team India posted a total of 289 for 7 in 50 overs.
Chasing the target of 290, South African openers Aiden Markram and Hashim Amla started off to a steady start. Both added 43 runs for the first wicket before Jasprit Bumrah struck to dismiss South African captain Aiden Markram. Rain arrived. The target was revised to 202 in 28 overs. Kuldeep Yadav struck dismissing JP Duminy and Hashim Amla. AB de Villiers came to crease and put pressure on the Indian spinners with quick fire 26 off 18 balls. David Miller was dropped, then bowled out on a no ball. Klassen and David Miller added 72 runs for the 5th wicket.
Andile Phehluwakyo played a cameo knock by remaining not out on 23 off 11 balls. Klassen also played with positive intent against the Indian spinners. South Africa won the match by 5 wickets via D/L method.
South Africa 207 for 5 in 25.3 overs ( Klassen 43*, David Miller 39, Amla 33, Kuldeep Yadav 2/51) beat
India 289 for 7 in 50 overs ( Shikhar Dhawan 109, Virat Kohli 75, MS Dhoni 42*, Rabada 2/58, Ngidi 2/52) by 5 wickets.
Indian captain Virat Kohli said: South Africa deserved to win the match. The ball was wet but not too wet, our spinners got some turn and their batsmen improvised which came off. The game got shorter and worked in their favor.
South African captain Aiden Markram said: Happy to get over the line. It was a blessing in disguise to break the momentum and restricted India to 290. Still not our best but one step at a time.
Man of the match Klassen said: It was a great feeling to be a part of winning team. Have done it in amateur cricket and wanted to express myself.
India still has a 3-1 lead in the series. The fifth match of ODI series will be played on 13th February at Port Elizabeth.
