Team India’s winning streak came to a halt as Virat and Co lost the 4th ODI in a rain-curtailed match played at Johannesburg on 10th February. The Men in Blue would be looking create history as they face South Africa in 5th ODI to be played at ST Geroge’s Park, Port Elizabeth tomorrow.
In the 4th ODI played at Johannesburg, Indian captain Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to bat first. Rohit Sharma failed again 4th time in a row by scoring 5 runs. Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli put up another good partnership for the 2nd wicket adding 158 runs. Playing his 100th match, Dhawan made a century while Kohli made 75 runs. Rain arrived and the momentum of Indian innings was lost. MS Dhoni made 42 off 43 balls. Team India posted 289 for 7 in 50 overs.
In the bowling department, spin twins of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav were smashed all over by David Miller, Klassen, and Phehulkwayo. The Indian spinners could not grip the ball as both of them hampered by rain.
South Africa innings got off to a good start with Amla and captain Markarm added 43 runs before the rain arrived again. Revised target was given off 202 runs in 28 overs. AB de Villiers came back to the team and played a cameo knock off 26 runs in 18 balls. David Miller was dropped and then reprieved by Yuzvendra Chahal off no ball. Klassen and David Miller added 72 runs which gave a foundation for South Africa winning the match. Andile Phehulwakyo played a cameo knock off 23 and hit the winning run. Hosts won it by 5 wickets. Klassen was named a man of the match for his 43 runs unbeaten.
In the bowling department, Rabada picked an early wicket of Rohit Sharma. As the partnership between Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan added 158 runs, Chris Morris took an important one of Kohli. After the rain break, the South Africa bowlers restricted Indian batting order to 289 for 7.
India might be bringing Kedar Jadhav in the 5th ODI as he was dropped due to an injury. The rest of batting order could remain same.
South Africa dropped Imran Tahir and could bring in place of Morne Morkel. It is a massive boost to play the Indian spin twins with confidence as rain gave the advantage to chasing the target.
India’s record in ST Geroge’s Park, Port Elizabeth is poor losing all four matches. If Men in Blue could repeat their performances from the 3 ODI’s, Virat and Co would become the first Indian captain to win a bilateral series at South African shores.
India’s Playing XI: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (C), Ajiyanka Rahane, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav.
South Africa’s Playing XI: Hashim Amla, Aiden Markram (C), JP Duminy, AB de Villiers, David Miller, Henrich Klassen, Chris Morris, Andile Phehulkwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir.