IND beat SA by 73 runs | India vs South Africa, Highlights And Cricket Score 5th ODI Match - Commentary
India in South Africa, 6 ODI Series, 2018
Date: Feb 13, 2018 Start Time: 16:30 IST | 11:00 GMT | 13:00 LocalVenue: St George's Park, Port Elizabeth
India vs South Africa Highlights And Cricket Score 5th Match - ODI Commentary
South Africa would be ruing that dropped catch of Rohit Sharma. But he has set a template for the likes of the Amlas, de Villiers and Duminys to follow. One batsman needs to bat deep, preferably till the end of the chase. India, on the other hand, will be looking to exploit their opponents' inexperience. Join us back at 1715 local (1515 GMT).
A team effort from the Proteas with the ball. They could not quite keep a lid on the Indian top order but Shamsi kept things reasonably quiet. Then Ngidi and Rabada revelled at the death, with the former's double-wicket maiden in the 43rd over changing the momentum.
Almost an action replay of the previous ODI. The Indian top order again got off to a terrific start but then threw it away. The middle order could not capitalize on the foundation once more and had it not been for Tabraiz Shamsi dropping Rohit Sharma on 96, the Indians might not have crossed even 250.
Both sides would be reasonably happy going into the break. South Africa would be pleased with their death overs' bowling - 10-1-55-4 in Powerplay 3. At one stage, they would have feared chasing 330. India, on the other hand, would be disappointed with that final Powerplay but with the pitch slowing down, 274 could be more than a handful.
Kagiso Rabada to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Backs away to the leg side and Rabada follows him again. Bhuvi is cramped for room and can only push it to point for a single. What an over - just 5 singles. INDIA FINISH ON 274/7.
Kagiso Rabada to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. A short ball outside off, Bhuvi looks to pull but misses.
Kagiso Rabada to Kuldeep Yadav. Excellently bowled, magnificently played. Kuldeep is ready to swing this to the leg side and Rabada bowls an off cutter. But Yadav is watching the ball till the last moment, hence changes his shot and dabs it towards backward point for a single.
Kagiso Rabada to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. A short ball, following the batsman, Kumar swats a pull to deep mid-wicket. One run taken.
Kagiso Rabada to Kuldeep Yadav. Walks across his stumps and Rabada bowls it on middle and leg. Kuldeep looks to pull but misses. They take a bye.
Kagiso Rabada to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. A length ball on middle, following the batsman, chipped down to long on for a single.
Lungi Ngidi to Kuldeep Yadav. No fifer for Ngidi. But a wonderful outing for him. A short ball outside off, Yadav backs away and slashes hard, only to miss. 8 runs and a wicket to end Ngidi's spell - 9-1-51-4. His best in ODIs.
Lungi Ngidi to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Very full outside off, almost a yorker, squeezed to third man for one. Just a ball left to get his fifer.
Lungi Ngidi to Kuldeep Yadav. Outside off, good change of pace, Kuldeep pushes it behind point for a run to get off the mark.
Lungi Ngidi to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Short and outside off, pushed uppishly towards cover for a quick single.
Lungi Ngidi to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. WIDE. That can help India. Wide number 7. Already an over extra. Down the leg side, Kumar misses his flick.
Kuldeep Yadav comes in at number 9, replacing Dhoni.
Lungi Ngidi to MS Dhoni. OUT! Superb catch from Aiden Markram and Ngidi has 4! Can he get 5? Not much time left. A length ball again, outside off, Dhoni looks to swat it over the leg side but the ball comes in very slowly. He is way too early into the shot and can only manage to spoon the ball towards mid off. The ball dips onto the fielder but Markram dives full length forward and takes a superb catch. Another big blow.
Lungi Ngidi to MS Dhoni. EDGED, FOUR! Useful runs for India. A length ball outside off, Dhoni swings hard but only gets a top edge. Over the keeper it flies, to the fence behind. Dhoni moves to 13 from 16 balls.
Kagiso Rabada to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. FOUR! CLUNK! Terrific shot to spoil what would have been an excellent over. A length ball on middle, Kumar backs away and powers this down the ground, past mid on for a boundary! Just 7 from that over, would have been even lesser had that boundary not been hit.
Kagiso Rabada to MS Dhoni. THAT STAYS LOW TOO. Dhoni walks across and Rabada bowls it on a length on off. But the ball stays low and Dhoni just about gets bat onto it as he helps it through square leg for one.
Kagiso Rabada to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Giving absolutely no room. Bhuvi was backing away to pull but Rabada followed him. The pull shot was played, but with closed eyes. The ball lobbed past the square leg umpire. A run taken. Moves to 10 from 13 balls.
Kagiso Rabada to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Again, that is good bowling. Sees the batsman move to the leg side, and follows him. Kumar can only push it towards short mid-wicket.
Kagiso Rabada to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Outside off, played towards point. He is standing at short point, the fielder, who was brought in just before this ball.
Kagiso Rabada to MS Dhoni. Nicely bowled. Dhoni walks across and then shuffles back. Rabada is watching him like a hawk and bowls it fast and into the body. All MS can do is flick it towards mid-wicket for a single.
Kagiso Rabada is back on.
Lungi Ngidi to MS Dhoni. A short ball, down the leg side, pulled to fine leg for a run.
Lungi Ngidi to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Gets it past the man at point for a quick single.
Lungi Ngidi to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Outside off, pushed towards point.
Aiden Markram now places himself at wide first slip.
Lungi Ngidi to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. FOUR! A boundary after 33 balls! Much-needed one for India. Outside off, on a length, Bhuvi looks to run it down to third man but is a tad late in opening the face of his bat. The ball runs off the outside edge, past the keeper, through the vacant slip cordon and to the third man fence. Not too long ago, there was a slip for Bhuvi. Had he been there, it would have gone straight to him.
Lungi Ngidi to MS Dhoni. A short ball, outside off, Dhoni pulls it through fine leg for a run. The stand moves to 10 from 12 balls.
Lungi Ngidi to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. A short ball outside off, Kumar gets on top of the bounce and runs the ball down to third man, past slip, for a single.
Morne Morkel to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads for a single.
Morne Morkel to MS Dhoni. Outside off, pushed through the covers for a run.
Morne Morkel to MS Dhoni. Excellent shot. A short ball outside off, Dhoni is ready for the pull. But he holds his shot back, adjusts to the slow nature of the pitch and just rolls his wrists over to pull it through mid-wicket for a couple.
Morne Morkel to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Just three fielders on the leg side, so that is the line a bowler would want to keep. Short and outside off, not too wide, Bhuvi plays it well though, getting on top of the bounce and running it down to third man for a run.
Morne Morkel to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Outside off, Kumar pushes at it but misses.
Morne Morkel to MS Dhoni. A short ball, outside off, helped through square leg for a single.
Lungi Ngidi to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Outside off, Bhuvneshwar looks to push and run but is sent back. 2 runs and a wicket from the over, Ngidi's figures read 7-1-35-3.
Lungi Ngidi to MS Dhoni. A long hop now, Dhoni plays a controlled pull to deep mid-wicket for a run.
Lungi Ngidi to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Ahhh.... full and outside off, Bhuvi is early into his push shot and gets a thick inside edge, which just goes past the stumps towards fine leg. A single taken.
Lungi Ngidi to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. A short ball outside off, Kumar sways out of the way.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar walks in at number 8, replacing Iyer.
Lungi Ngidi to Shreyas Iyer. OUT! Now Heinrich keeps his eyes on the ball and Iyer is out of here! Third wicket for Ngidi in the space of 7 balls. A short ball outside off, Iyer slashes hard but the extra bounce does him in. Gets a thick outside edge which flies away from Klaasen but the keeper moves across to his right swiftly and takes it. A bit of a collapse here.
Lungi Ngidi to Shreyas Iyer. A bouncer, right at the face of the batsman, Iyer ducks nicely. Keeps his eyes on the ball.
Morne Morkel to MS Dhoni. A length ball outside off, MS looks to punch it through the off side but ends up getting a bottom edge back to the bowler.
Morne Morkel to MS Dhoni. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Morne Morkel to MS Dhoni. WIDE. Down the leg side, MS gets across to flick but misses.
Morne Morkel to MS Dhoni. Short and wide outside off, Dhoni flays hard and misses.
Morne Morkel to MS Dhoni. Stays back in his crease and defends.
Morne Morkel to Shreyas Iyer. Outside off, played behind point for a single. Moves to 30 from 35 balls.
Morne Morkel to Shreyas Iyer. Short and outside off, cut straight to point.
Morne Morkel is back on.
Lungi Ngidi to MS Dhoni. Outside off, pushed towards mid off. A DOUBLE-WICKET MAIDEN FOR NGIDI!
Lungi Ngidi to MS Dhoni. Outside off, left alone this time.
Lungi Ngidi to MS Dhoni. No hat-trick. Outside off, pushed towards point.
MS Dhoni eventually comes out to bat, at number 7, replacing the blue-haired guy.
Lungi Ngidi to Hardik Pandya. OUT! He came, he saw, but could not conquer and is gone! A first-baller for Hardik. A length ball outside off, Pandya gets across and looks to flick but the ball stays low and goes off the bottom edge. Good low catch by Heinrich Klaasen. The Men In Green go up and so does the umpire's finger. Ngidi on a hat-trick!
Hardik Pandya walks in at number 6, replacing Rohit.
Lungi Ngidi to Rohit Sharma. OUT! Ngidi gets the set Rohit! A short ball outside off, Sharma looks to cut but is too close to the ball. Gets a thick nick behind and Heinrich Klaasen does not make any mistake. That dropped chance does not count much for South Africa in terms of individual runs but they have allowed a nice partnership to brew. Worth 60 from 63 balls. Excellent innings from Rohit though. Batting till the 43rd over.
Lungi Ngidi to Rohit Sharma. Full and straight, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. Down the leg side, helped through mid-wicket to make it 6 singles off the over. Shamsi finishes with figures of 10-0-48-0. The stand is worth 60 from 61 balls. Shamsi bowled well but he would have liked a wicket or two.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Shreyas Iyer. Comes down the track and heaves it over mid-wicket. On the bounce to the fielder in the deep. A run more to the total. Seems like Iyer has decided to do the hitting while Riohit bats through.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for another single.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Shreyas Iyer. The leg spinner now, pitched on middle, Shreyas goes back and works it cheekily to short third man for a quick one.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. The googly, outside off, picked pretty easily as the ball is punched through the covers for a run.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Shreyas Iyer. Tossed up on leg stump, Iyer comes forward, then goes back and works it through mid-wicket for a single.
Lungi Ngidi to Shreyas Iyer. Down the leg side, flicked towards fine leg for a single. 11 from the first over of Powerplay 3.
Lungi Ngidi to Shreyas Iyer. FOUR! CLUBBED! Short and wide outside off, this time Iyer moves his feet a touch and slashes it through point for a boundary! THE 50-RUN STAND IS UP AS WELL!
Lungi Ngidi to Shreyas Iyer. A length ball, down the leg side again, helped through mid-wicket for a brace.
Lungi Ngidi to Rohit Sharma. Down the leg side, flicked through the leg side for a run.
Lungi Ngidi to Shreyas Iyer. The batsman guides it to third man for a single.
Lungi Ngidi to Shreyas Iyer. WIDE. Slower ball gone awry, wide outside off, Iyer slashes hard without moving his feet and misses.
Lungi Ngidi to Rohit Sharma. Down the leg side, helped behind square leg for a single.
Lungi Ngidi is back on as well.
POWERPLAY 3! 10 overs of carnage in the waiting. How much can India get? 100? 5 fielders allowed outside the circle.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. Punched down to long off for one more.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. Swings it over mid-wicket but cannot get the ball wide of the fielder. Two runs taken.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Shreyas Iyer. Pushes this through mid on for a single.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Shreyas Iyer. The batsman has attempted to put bat on ball - but fails.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Shreyas Iyer. On a length outside off, watchfully defended.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Rohit Sharma. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Rohit Sharma. FOUR! Easy peasy. Full and outside off, Rohit nonchalantly lofts it over mid off for a one-bounce boundary.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Shreyas Iyer. The batsman has driven it through mid on. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Rohit Sharma. Landed outside off, nipping back in, Rohit looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. They take a quick single. There could have been a wicket had the throw hit the stumps at the bowler's end. But it misses. The fielders appeal for obstructing the field as they reckon that the ball deflected off Rohit. The umpire does not even bother referring it upstairs.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Rohit Sharma. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Shreyas Iyer. Full on middle, driven towards long on for a single.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. Full and around off, pushed towards mid on.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Shreyas Iyer. Short and outside off, cut through point for a run.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. Outside off, tapped towards point for a single.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Shreyas Iyer. First sign of big hitting. Full on middle, Iyer swings it towards long on. One bounce to the fielder stationed there.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Rohit Sharma. Driven through mid off by the batsman.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Shreyas Iyer. Full on middle, driven towards long on for a single.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Shreyas Iyer. Outside off, dabbed straight to point.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Shreyas Iyer. WIDE. Full and down the leg side, Iyer misses his flick.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Shreyas Iyer. Hat-trick of dots, full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Shreyas Iyer. Full and straight, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Shreyas Iyer. Outside off, dabbed straight to point.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. 17TH ODI TON FOR ROHIT SHARMA! And it is his first in a country where he has struggled to even get 50. Has looked fluent, will be an understatement. Gets a ball down the leg side and Sharma comfortably tucks it past a diving short fine leg, towards backward square leg. Two runs taken.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. Oops... full and around off, Rohit looks to flick but gets a leading edge which goes wide of the bowler towards mid off.
The man on 99 on strike...
Tabraiz Shamsi to Shreyas Iyer. Outside off, cut through point for a single.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Shreyas Iyer. Ahhh... turn and bounce. Landed on middle, a touch short, Shreyas goes back and looks to cut but the ball spins in, bounces and hits him on the glove.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Shreyas Iyer. FOUR! Poor ball, down the leg side, Iyer helps it past short fine leg and gets a boundary. 200 UP FOR INDIA. 88 balls left. Iyer moves to 11 from 12 balls.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Shreyas Iyer. Around off, spinning in, defended back to the bowler.
Tabraiz Shamsi is back on. Can he make amends for that drop?
Andile Phehlukwayo to Rohit Sharma. Has a wild hack and the ball runs off the inside edge through mid-wicket. Two runs taken to take Sharma to 99.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Rohit Sharma. Outside off, dabbed to short third man. Iyer wanted a single and was halfway down the track but Rohit sent him back. 'CALL DENA YAAR!' yells Rohit in frustration, asking his partner to give a call before running.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Shreyas Iyer. Finally gets Rohit on strike as Shreyas tucks it through fine leg for a single.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Shreyas Iyer. Third dot as Iyer defends compactly.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Shreyas Iyer. Full on middle, driven straight back to the bowler who half-stops it.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Shreyas Iyer. Outside off, defended solidly.
Kagiso Rabada to Shreyas Iyer. Full and outside off, Shreyas runs it down to third man for a single. A huge cheer erupts as Shamsi fields this ball.
Kagiso Rabada to Rohit Sharma. DROPPED ON 96! Shamsi the culprit. Is Rohit destined to get a really BIIGGGGGG one today? A short ball outside off, a trap it is and Sharma falls straight into it. He lofts it over the keeper but it is straight to Tabraiz Shamsi at very fine third man. It is a dolly. Should have been taken. But... the ball goes in, then pops out. A single taken. Any point in asking how crucial will this prove? South Africa might have blown away a chance to capitulate India.
Kagiso Rabada to Rohit Sharma. FOUR! Nicely done. Outside off, Sharma opens the face of his bat and guides it cheekily past the keeper to the third man fence. A hit away from a century now.
Kagiso Rabada to Rohit Sharma. Outside off, Sharma looks to steer it to third man but misses.
Kagiso Rabada to Shreyas Iyer. A short ball outside off, first sign of extra bounce, Iyer is surprised by it and fends it in the air. It goes just wide of backward point. A single taken.
Kagiso Rabada to Shreyas Iyer. Full and on middle, flicked wide of mid on for a quick couple.
Nice to see some practical sense being used. Seeing the time spent in checking the decision, the umpires made a swift call to take the DRINKS BREAK. All set for a big showdown towards the end of the innings. This scorecard has all been about Rohit while Dhawan and Kohli have failed to make use of their starts. India looking good for somewhere around 350 but for that, they need to stop helping the opposition by not gifting their wickets away. Rohit just needs someone to stand with him - don't be surprised if that projection of 350 zooms to 400 if he stays till the 40th over.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Rohit Sharma. NOT OUT. Thigh pad. No bat. Rohit says, the Protean review goes. A short ball down the leg side, Rohit looked to pull but missed. There was a noise as the ball went past and the South Africans kept on appealing. However, the umpire shook his head. Immediately the bowler wanted a review and the captain, after consulting his keeper who was nodding his head, decided to go with his bowler. First replay is good enough - ball missed the bat, then hit the thigh pad. Rohit stays on.
Caught behind? Umpire Shaun George says no. The Proteas feel that Rohit is gone. Review time.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Shreyas Iyer. The batsman defends it from within the crease. They pick up a single.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Rohit Sharma. Landed outside off, guided to third man for one more.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Shreyas Iyer. A short ball, around off, pulled through mid-wicket for a single to get off the mark.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Rohit Sharma. The batsman plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man. One run added to the total.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Rohit Sharma. Outside off, defended to the off side.
Kagiso Rabada to Shreyas Iyer. FOUR LEG BYES. Thank you. Down the leg side, Iyer looks to tuck but the ball goes off his pads to the fine leg fence.
Calmness needed. But it is not MS. Shreyas Iyer has been sent in at number 5.
Kagiso Rabada to Ajinkya Rahane. OUT! Another miscommunication. Really silly from Rohit and Rahane, both. Equally stubborn. On middle, Rahane pushes it towards mid on and calls for an easy single. There was always one available as it was Morne Morkel strolling around at mid on. But Rohit did not think there was a single on offer. His mistake. Now let us focus on Rahane's error. He is looking at Rohit and running but does not want to accept that Rohit does not want the run! Why? He had enough time to stop and then turn back but he kept on running, till he reached within handshaking distance. Eventually, he decided to turn but it was too late even though Morkel took ages to return that throw. One bounce and to the keeper. Heinrich Klaasen did not make any mistake. It was Rohit's mistake, yes, but there was enough time for Rahane to turn before he eventually did. Agreed, it was his call but two people need to run to complete a single.
Kagiso Rabada to Rohit Sharma. Into the 90s, moves Rohit. A short ball around off, Sharma calmly pulls it through mid-wicket for a run.
Kagiso Rabada to Ajinkya Rahane. Dropped short, pulled with total control through mid-wicket for a single.
It has gone overcast again. That 30 percent chances of rain still ringing fresh in my ears. Can we have an uninterrupted game please?
Kagiso Rabada to Ajinkya Rahane. Landed outside off, that stays low, Rahane looks to steer this through the off side but the ball scoots beneath the bat.
Kagiso Rabada to Rohit Sharma. Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Kagiso Rabada to bowl now.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Rohit Sharma. Short and outside off, cut through point for a run. The stand moves to 20 from 33 balls.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Rohit Sharma. On a length outside off, pushed back to the bowler.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Rohit Sharma. Very slowly bowled, around off, nicely defended.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Ajinkya Rahane. Another edge. The pitch is slowing up big time now. Ajinkya looks to push this through the off side but the ball comes slowly off the surface and goes off the inside edge through square leg. A single taken.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Ajinkya Rahane. A length ball outside off, Rahane looks to punch this through the off side but gets a bottom edge towards mid-wicket.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Ajinkya Rahane. Full and outside off, pushed towards mid off.
Andile Phehlukwayo now.
Morne Morkel to Ajinkya Rahane. Down the leg side, tucked towards fine leg for another single.
Morne Morkel to Ajinkya Rahane. Outside off again, Rahane looks to cut but gets a bottom edge to the off side.
Morne Morkel to Rohit Sharma. Good single. Pushes it towards cover for a quick run.
Morne Morkel to Rohit Sharma. Nice comeback, lands it short and gets it to nip back in. Solidly blocked.
Morne Morkel to Rohit Sharma. FOUR! Excellent control. A short ball outside off, Rohit arches back and just guides it over the vacant slip cordon towards third man. A more agile man than Tabraiz Shamsi could have stopped it because the poor man ran in really hard to his left, stuck out his left hand but the ball just went through.
Morne Morkel to Ajinkya Rahane. The batsman plays a pull shot to this short delivery. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Ajinkya Rahane. Goes back and works it through square leg for another single.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. Full and outside off, pushed towards long off for one.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. The batsman defends it from within the crease.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. Very full on middle, spinning in, Rohit comes forward and watchfully works it towards square leg.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Ajinkya Rahane. A touch short outside off, punched through the covers for a run.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. They pick up a single.
Morne Morkel to Ajinkya Rahane. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
Morne Morkel to Ajinkya Rahane. Stays back in his crease and blocks.
Morne Morkel to Ajinkya Rahane. Outside off, left alone.
Morne Morkel to Ajinkya Rahane. A bouncer now, Rahane bails out of the pull.
Morne Morkel to Ajinkya Rahane. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Morne Morkel to Rohit Sharma. Outside off, punched through the covers for a single.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. One run added to the total.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Ajinkya Rahane. Down the leg side, helped fine for a run.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. They pick up a single.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. Full and outside off, watchfully blocked out.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Ajinkya Rahane. Down the leg side, flicked away for a single.
Morne Morkel to Rohit Sharma. The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. Two runs added to the total.
Morne Morkel to Rohit Sharma. Outside off, defended solidly.
Morne Morkel to Rohit Sharma. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Ajinkya Rahane walks in at number 4, replacing Kohli.
Morne Morkel to Rohit Sharma. OUT! Kohli is gone! Run out by Rohit. Outside off, Sharma taps it to the off side. There was an easy single and Kohli came charging in but Rohit did not move a muscle. Duminy quickly got to the ball and had an under-arm shy at the bowler's end. Aiden Markram was backing up but the ball hit the stumps direct. Bull's eye. What a shy. Now then. Rohit runs out Kohli. A double century in the offing?
Morne Morkel to Virat Kohli. Down the leg side, tucked fine for a single.
Morne Morkel to Virat Kohli. FOUR! Full and outside off, Kohli opens the face of his bat and guides it past the keeper to the third man fence!
Morne Morkel is back into the attack.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. Floats it up on off, turning back in. Sharma tries to defend but it goes off the inner half towards mid-wicket.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. SIX! He means business here! Sharma goes down on one knee and slog sweeps the full ball over mid-wicket for a biggie.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli. Flatter on off, pushed down to long off for a run.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli. Tosses it up on middle, flicked to mid-wicket.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. Worked with the turn through square leg for a run.
JP Duminy to Rohit Sharma. Eased down to long off for a run.
JP Duminy to Rohit Sharma. FOUR! Swept and swept fine! Duminy tosses it up on off, Sharma goes down on one knee and sweeps it through square leg for a boundary.
JP Duminy to Rohit Sharma. WIDE! Duminy, however makes up for it for the Indians as he bowls it very wide outside off.
JP Duminy to Rohit Sharma. Shorter in length on middle, pushed towards mid on. Markram from short mid-wicket comes running, dives and saves a run.
JP Duminy to Virat Kohli. Flatter outside off, guided down towards short third man for a run.
JP Duminy to Virat Kohli. Worked it with the spin to mid-wicket.
JP Duminy to Virat Kohli. Very full on off, Kohli digs it out to the bowler.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. Flatter outside off, Sharma cuts it through point for a couple.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli. Worked with the spin through mid-wicket for a run.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli. NOT OUT! Kohli does have something behind the line! India will breathe a sigh of relief here. Shamsi tosses it up outside off, it turns back in and goes between the bat and pad of Kohli as he tries to defend. Klaasen behind the stumps, collects it and whips the bails off in a flash. He seems pretty confident and puts in an appeal. The umpire goes upstairs and the replays roll in. After having a look at several ones the umpire rules it in the batsman's favor. A brave call by the third umpire there, as it was very, very close.
Stumping appeal! Has Shamsi got Kohli? Klaasen takes the bails off in a flash and appeals. He seems to be pretty confident here. The umpire has taken it upstairs.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli. Floats it on off, outside off, Kohli waits for it and plays the late cut through short third man for a couple.
JP Duminy to Rohit Sharma. Short again but this time the ball does not bounce. Sharma tries to work it awat but it goes off the leading edge to mid-wicket.
JP Duminy to Virat Kohli. Very full outside off, driven through covers for a run.
JP Duminy to Rohit Sharma. Floats it full on off, driven down to long off for a run.
JP Duminy to Rohit Sharma. SIX! Half-tracker, a nothing delivery. Sharma rocks back and pulls it over the mid-wicket fence. It goes a long way in the stands, that one.
JP Duminy to Virat Kohli. Shorter in length, pushed down to long on for a run.
JP Duminy to Virat Kohli. Works it to mid-wicket with the turn.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. Comes down the track but does not get to the pitch of the ball. Sharma though adjusts and pads it away.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. FOUR! Poor from Phehlukwayo! That should have never have been a boundary. Shamsi bowls it flatter on middle, Sharma rocks back and flicks it towards him at square leg. He goes down and tries to stop it but does not account for the turn away. The ball beats him and races away to the fence.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. Driven through mid on by the batsman.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. Very full on middle, worked around the corner.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli. Floats it up on off, driven down to long off for a run.
JP Duminy to Rohit Sharma. Comes down the track and almost yorks himself as he jams it out to the bowler.
JP Duminy to Rohit Sharma. Quicker on the stumps, pushed towards the bowler who dives to his right and makes an excellent stop.
JP Duminy to Rohit Sharma. Pushes it through on off, Rohit pushes it to covers.
JP Duminy to Rohit Sharma. Flatter on off, defended.
JP Duminy to Virat Kohli. Works it with the spin through mid-wicket for a run.
JP Duminy to Virat Kohli. Tosses it up on off, driven to covers. Replays later show, Kohli holds his shoulder after pushing that one.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. A good start by Shamsi, just two from his first.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. Flatter and quicker but on a shorter length. Sharma cuts it to point.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. Floats it up on middle, pushed back to the bowler.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli. Floats it up on off, driven down to long on for a run.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Virat Kohli. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Tabraiz Shamsi to Rohit Sharma. Fifty for Sharma, his 35th in this format! He has been in poor form in this series and he now finally gets his first ODI fifty in this series and also in South Africa. He gets there with a beautiful cover drive but straight to the fielder in the deep for one.
Tabraiz Shamsi is now into the attack.
JP Duminy to Rohit Sharma. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. The batsmen have run through for a single.
JP Duminy to Rohit Sharma. Wide outside off, Sharma lets it be and the umpire signals a wide.
JP Duminy to Virat Kohli. Floats it up on middle, whipped down to long on for a run.
JP Duminy to Rohit Sharma. Driven towards the mid off region. The batsmen have run through for a single.
JP Duminy to Rohit Sharma. Another short ball outside off, it is quicker and Sharma is beaten as he tries to cut.
JP Duminy to Rohit Sharma. FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! Short again outside off, this time slower through the air. Sharma waits for it and places it through point.
JP Duminy to Rohit Sharma. FOUR! Poor ball to start with! Short and outside off, Sharma has all the time in the world to rock back and cut it past short third man for a boundary.
Time for some spin! JP Duminy comes into the attack.
Drinks! India are cruising at the moment. Dhawan and Sharma got them off to a flier before the left-hander perished and now Kohli and Sharma are continuing the same. South Africa are in need of a wicket here or they could be staring at a big total.
Lungi Ngidi to Virat Kohli. Shorter in length on off, worked to mid-wicket.
Lungi Ngidi to Rohit Sharma. Length around off, offers width this time. Rohit guides it down to third man and takes a run.
Lungi Ngidi to Rohit Sharma. Well bowled! Sharma walks across and down the pitch. Ngidi sticks to bowling on a length and around off, Sharma defends it onto the ground.
Lungi Ngidi to Rohit Sharma. Slower ball outside off, Sharma leaves it.
Lungi Ngidi to Rohit Sharma. Good ball, tightens his line and bowls it on the stumps. Sharma tries to defend but it takes the inside edge and goes onto the pads.
Lungi Ngidi to Rohit Sharma. FOUR! Poor ball and Ngidi pays the price. Short and outside off, cut through point. There is no one in the deep and the ball races away. Also the 50-run stand is up between the two and it has come up in quick time.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Virat Kohli. A dot to end the over! A tight one for South Africa. On a length around off, defended.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Virat Kohli. Shortish outside off, chopped to point.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Virat Kohli. Another couple! Short and on the stumps, the ball does not bounce a lot and comes at a good height for the batsman. He pulls it through backward square leg for a brace.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Virat Kohli. Length around off, Kohli opens the face of the bat and guides it down to third man. Some good running by the batsmen helps them take two.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Virat Kohli. Back of a length on off, guided to point.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Virat Kohli. Kohli walks at the bowler, seeing that, Phehlukwayo shortens his length. Kohli mistimes his pull to mid-wicket.
Lungi Ngidi to Virat Kohli. Shorter on middle worked around the corner to keep strike.
Lungi Ngidi to Virat Kohli. On the stumps, worked to mid on.
Lungi Ngidi to Rohit Sharma. Another short ball, this time the bowler gets it to bounce a touch more. Sharma still gets on top of the bounce and pulls it towards the same region but for a single this time.
Lungi Ngidi to Rohit Sharma. FOUR! Not learning are they! Short and on the body, too easy for Sharma as he rocks back and pulls it through backward square leg for a boundary.
Lungi Ngidi to Rohit Sharma. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
Lungi Ngidi to Rohit Sharma. Good length around middle, straightens a touch. Rohit tries to work it on the leg side but the ball takes a soft leading edge towards cover. He then wants a single and takes a start but is asked to go back at the right time by Kohli. Good call by the skipper as there was never a run available. Also with these two batting out in the middle, a run out is always on the cards.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Virat Kohli. Good work in the deep by Morkel! On a length around off, Kohli uses his wrists and guides it behind point. Morkel from third man makes good ground to his right, dives and saves two.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Virat Kohli. Phehlukwayo is keeping it tight here. He bowls it on a length, attacking the stumps. Kohli defends it solidly.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Rohit Sharma. Good length outside off, Rohit plays it down to third man with an angled bat to change strike.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Rohit Sharma. Attacks the stumps, Sharma gets his bat in the way and keeps it out.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Virat Kohli. Length outside off, pushed through covers for an easy run.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Rohit Sharma. Length outside off, Rohit opens the face of the bat and guides it down to third man for a run.
The keeper is now standing upto the stumps.
Lungi Ngidi to Virat Kohli. Edge? South Africa would have surely wished! Good ball to end the over though. On a length around off, gets it to bounce a touch. Kohli hangs his bat out outside off but gets beaten.
Lungi Ngidi to Virat Kohli. Bowls it on a length, gets it to bounce a touch more. Kohli defends it.
Lungi Ngidi to Virat Kohli. Length on off, Kohli is solid in defense.
Lungi Ngidi to Rohit Sharma. Short ball, Sharma rides on top of the bounce and pulls it through mid-wicket for a run.
Lungi Ngidi to Virat Kohli. Angles it into the batsman. He works it through square leg for a run.
Lungi Ngidi to Virat Kohli. Good length, they have to hit this length on consistent basis. On the off stump, Kohli defends it.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Virat Kohli. Length ball guided down to third man for a run.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Virat Kohli. Shorter outside off, Kohli tries to cut but it takes the inside edge onto the pads.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Virat Kohli. On a length around off, Kohli tries to defend but it takes the inside edge and on the leg side.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Rohit Sharma. Shortish outside off, pushed through covers and the batsmen cross for a run.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Virat Kohli. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. One run added to the total.
Andile Phehlukwayo to Virat Kohli. FOUR! Welcome to Andile! That shot was played with full authority! Kohli walks down the track and makes it a half-volley. He connects really well and it runs through covers for a boundary.
Andile Phehlukwayo comes into the attack.
Lungi Ngidi to Virat Kohli. A single to end the over! On a length around off. pushed through covers for a run.
Lungi Ngidi to Virat Kohli. Length ball on off, defended.
Lungi Ngidi to Rohit Sharma. Good batting follows it with a run. On a length around off, guided down to third man for a run.
Lungi Ngidi to Rohit Sharma. SIX! Class from Sharma! Short and on the body, he rocks back and sends it sailing over the square leg fence for half a dozen. He looks to be back in form here, not good signs for the hosts.
Lungi Ngidi to Rohit Sharma. Well bowled! On a length around off, Sharma keeps it out.
Lungi Ngidi to Virat Kohli. On a length around off, guided down to third man for a quick run.
Powerplay 2 has been signaled! Now, 4 fielders can be placed outside the ring till the 40th over. Also the hosts make a bowling change, they bring in Lungi Ngidi.
Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli. A single to end the Powerplay! On a length, Kohli drops it towards covers and rushes through for a run. India are off to a brilliant start. They are 61 for 1 after 10.
Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli. Another length ball, defended.
Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli. Back of a length on off, pushed to covers.
Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli. Angles it into the batsman, Kohli flicks it through square leg and runs two.
Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli. BEATEN! Lovely stuff from Rabada. Bowls it on a length just outside off, a line where the batsman has to play. It shapes away ever so slightly as Virat comes forward to defend but gets beaten.
Kagiso Rabada to Rohit Sharma. The ball takes the outside edge goes towards the slip region. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Morne Morkel to Virat Kohli. The ball is too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact.
Morne Morkel to Rohit Sharma. A huge appeal! On a length outside off, once again shapes back in and once again causes problems for Sharma. He tries to flick it by humping. Misses it though and is hit high on the pads. The ball rolls down to third man and the batsmen run through for a run. There is a huge appeal by the bowler but the umpire shakes his head. Morkel is adamant it is out and he asks his captain to review, Markram does not but. The umpire waits before signaling it a leg bye and then eventually does. Also it was good by the South African skipper he did not review that as it was shown to be going over.
Morne Morkel to Rohit Sharma. On a length outside off, Rohit keeps his eyes on the ball and makes a leave.
Morne Morkel to Rohit Sharma. Back of a length on off, pushed to cover-point.
Morne Morkel to Rohit Sharma. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
Morne Morkel to Rohit Sharma. FOUR! This wicket looks a belter! A little short outside off, Rohit rides on top of the bounce and cuts it through covers for another boundary. The runs keep flowing here.
Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli. On a length around off, tucked to mid-wicket.
Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli. Driven through mid on by the batsman.
Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli. FOUR LEG BYES! Poor by Rabada! Errs in line and bowls it on the leg side. Kohli though fails to get bat to it but it still brushes the pads, beats the diving keeper and runs into the fence.
Kagiso Rabada to Virat Kohli. On the pads, worked to mid-wicket.
Virat Kohli walks out to the middle.
Kagiso Rabada to Shikhar Dhawan. OUT! Straight to the man! Rabada strikes! The short ball does the trick. Rabada bangs it in on middle, Dhawan does not back off, as he takes on the challenge of pulling it. He connects well but does not get the desired elevation. It flies straight to Phehlukwayo at deep square leg who takes it easily. Rabada is delighted as he gives a send off to Dhawan. Also it is a much-needed wicket for South Africa as India were off to a flier. They will now try to pull things back a bit.
Kagiso Rabada to Shikhar Dhawan. FOUR! Dealing in boundaries is India here! Shorter in length outside off, Dhawan guides it down towards third man for another boundary.
Kagiso Rabada to Shikhar Dhawan. Short but down the leg side, Dhawan misses the pull and the umpire calls it a wide.
Morne Morkel to Rohit Sharma. Back of a length on off, pushed to point. End of another expensive over. 13 from it and 26 from the last two.
Morne Morkel to Shikhar Dhawan. The batsman plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man. One run added to the total.
Morne Morkel to Shikhar Dhawan. FOUR! Third in the over! This will surely ruin the figures of Morkel! A full ball outside off, Dhawan slashes at it and it goes over covers and races away.
Morne Morkel to Shikhar Dhawan. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
Morne Morkel to Shikhar Dhawan. FOUR! Catch it is the call but it goes just over! A short ball, a well-directed one. Dhawan goes for the pull but he gets a top edge over the jumping keeper for another boundary.
Morne Morkel to Shikhar Dhawan. FOUR! Dhawan just loves it there! Full and around off, he plays it with a straight bat down towards the long off fence.
Kagiso Rabada to Rohit Sharma. On the pads, worked around the corner to end the over with a couple. 13 runs from the over, runs starting to flow now.
Surely not a place someone wants to be hit, even with the protection there. There is no physio coming out and Sharma is taking a little bit of time. He now looks fine to continue.
Kagiso Rabada to Rohit Sharma. OHHH! Sharma cops a blow where he would never want to. On a length around off, comes back in sharply. Sharma tries to work it away but misses. The ball hits him right on the box and he is down on his haunches.
Kagiso Rabada to Rohit Sharma. SIX! Did i just write sedate, Sharma proves me wrong. He says, enough is enough as he charges down the pitch and dispatches Rabada over the long on fence.
Kagiso Rabada to Rohit Sharma. A sedate start here from Sharma! He keeps out a length ball watchfully.
Kagiso Rabada to Shikhar Dhawan. On a length around off, guided down to third man to change strike.
Kagiso Rabada to Shikhar Dhawan. FOUR! Just out of reach! Another full ball on off, Dhawan times it off the middle but uppishly towards the right of the bowler. He stretches his hand out but can't reach it. A boundary results. Back-to-back boundaries for India.
Morne Morkel to Rohit Sharma. FOUR! He can't! A good way though for Sharma to finish the over. Not a bad delivery by the tall man. He bowls it on a length outside off, Sharma transfers his weight on the back foot and guides it through cover-point for a boundary. His first in the game.
Morne Morkel to Rohit Sharma. Another dot! Shorter outside off, pushed to point. Can Morkel bowl three maidens in a row?
Morne Morkel to Rohit Sharma. Good length on off, worked to mid-wicket.
Morne Morkel to Rohit Sharma. This is brilliant from Morkel! 15 dots in a row by him. On a length outside off, Sharma makes a leave.
Morne Morkel to Rohit Sharma. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.
Morne Morkel to Rohit Sharma. Rash shot! On a length outside off, it shapes away a touch after pitching. Rohit tries to drive it on the up but gets beaten.
Kagiso Rabada to Shikhar Dhawan. Beautiful shot but for no runs! Fuller this time on off, Dhawan times it but straight to mid off. 8 runs from the over, a good one for India.
Kagiso Rabada to Shikhar Dhawan. FOUR! Just over! A boundary in a streaky fashion! Short and wide outside off this time. Dhawan tries to cut but it takes the outside edge and goes over the leaping Markram at second slip and into the third man fence. Second off the over.
Kagiso Rabada to Shikhar Dhawan. Fuller on off, mistimed to covers.
Kagiso Rabada to Shikhar Dhawan. FOUR! Short and dispatched! South Africa tried bouncing out Dhawan in the last game but they paid the price, they try the same and this time the result is similar. Bangs it in on middle, Dhawan rocks back and pulls it over square leg.
Kagiso Rabada to Shikhar Dhawan. Another length ball attacking the stumps, Dhawan taps it towards covers and wants a run but there was never one in it.
Kagiso Rabada to Shikhar Dhawan. Back of a length on off, the batsman keeps it out.
Morne Morkel to Rohit Sharma. Second maiden in a row for Morkel! Another length delivery around middle, Sharma defends it towards mid-wicket.
Morne Morkel to Rohit Sharma. Make that 11! On a length around off, Sharma defends it back towards the bowler.
Morne Morkel to Rohit Sharma. Back of a length on off, Sharma watchfully defends it towards point. 10 dots bowled by Morkel now.
Morne Morkel to Rohit Sharma. Fuller this time on off, no swing on offer though. Rohit plants his front foot forward and defends it towards mid off. Good signs from Sharma, he is looking to get his eye in here first.
Morne Morkel to Rohit Sharma. Hits the length hard on off, Sharma lunges forward and defends it solidly.
Morne Morkel to Rohit Sharma. On a length around off, left alone.
Kagiso Rabada to Shikhar Dhawan. FOUR! Cracking shot! Full and wide outside off, a half-volley. Dhawan cracks it through covers for the first boundary for the day. He also gets off the mark in style.
Kagiso Rabada to Shikhar Dhawan. On a length around off, defended solidly.
Kagiso Rabada to Rohit Sharma. India are away not in convincing fashion though. A length ball around middle, Rabada gets it to shape back in. Sharma tries to defend but it goes off the inside edge through the leg side for a run.
Kagiso Rabada to Rohit Sharma. Good length outside off, Sharma lets it be.
Kagiso Rabada to Rohit Sharma. That has come back appreciably! On a length outside off, jags back in sharply after pitching. Sharma tries to keep it out but is done in by the inswing. The ball hits him high on the pads. There is a muted appeal but nothing from the umpire. A good decision as Hawk Eye later on shows it was going above the stumps.
Kagiso Rabada to Rohit Sharma. Shorter in length, skids off the surface. On the stumps. Sharma hops and tucks it to mid-wicket.
Kagiso Rabada will bowl with the second new ball.
Morne Morkel to Shikhar Dhawan. Comes around the wicket and bowls it full. Dhawan times it to covers. A maiden to begin with by Morkel, no swing available though.
Morne Morkel to Shikhar Dhawan. Easy Dhawan, you have been watchful for the first four balls. Need not play those. Another wide ball outside off, Dhawan this time can't resist and goes after it away from his body. He gets beaten though.
Morne Morkel to Shikhar Dhawan. On the stumps around middle, also on a length. Dhawan pushes it back to the bowler.
Morne Morkel to Shikhar Dhawan. Closer to the off pole but not close enough for the batsman to play at it.
Morne Morkel to Shikhar Dhawan. A little wider outside off this time. Hoping Dhawan would go for a loose shot early on. He does not and makes another leave.
Morne Morkel to Shikhar Dhawan. Good line and length to start by Morkel. He bowls it just ahead of a length on the fifth stump channel. Dhawan watchfully makes a leave.
We are all set for the action to begin. It is cloudy here and the South African bowlers will hope they can make use of the conditions. India on the other hand will hope for a good start from their openers, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma. The hosts are in a huddle and now they make their way out to the middle. Morne Morkel will open the bowling for them. He has two slips in place. Here we go...
PITCH REPORT - Neil McKenzie says there will be a little swing upfront. Further adds there will be assistance for the spinners as well. Reckons it will skid on in the second innings under the new lights. Informs there is a little grass cover and hence it will come to the bat. Ends by saying there will be bounce available.
India skipper, Virat Kohli, says they wanted to bowl first. Further adds chasing is what they prefer. Reckons it looks a good wicket but is a little dry. He hopes that if the wicket gets slower in the second half, the spinners can make full use of it. He mentions they will try to put on some runs and subsequently some pressure on the hosts. Informs their spinners have put their last performance behind and they are now looking forward to this game. Informs they are playing the same team.
South Africa skipper, Aiden Markram, says he is clear about what he wants to do. States they will bowl first as it skids onto the bat later on. Mentions the grass on the pitch also influenced his decision. He hopes for a few early wickets and put the opposition under a little pressure. Informs the confidence is high and they are keen to go out there and play. Informs Morris is out due to a stiff back and Shamsi comes into the team.
TOSS - South Africa win the toss and elect to field first.
India on the other hand, would hope the last game was a one-off. They have played excellent cricket throughout the one-day series and Kohli will hope they continue the same. The away side would want to seal the deal here itself with a victory. Even though they lost the previous encounter, they would head into this one as slight favorites. Let us hope for another exciting clash. Stay tuned for the all important toss in a while.
The hosts, with the return of AB de Villiers, also returned to winning ways in a curtailed game. They though still can't relax as a loss here today will see the series slip out of their hands. Markram, however, would not want that and he would be keen to win the game here today and make it 3-2.
After a cracking T20I game today between New Zealand and England, we now turn our attention to the longer format. Yes, it is time for the 5th ODI between South Africa and India at Port Elizabeth, hello and welcome to the coverage.
So that is it from this game! India continue their domination on the hosts and seal the series with a game in hand. South Africa on the other hand, will have to come up with a new plan and try to end the series with a win in the final ODI which will be played on the 16th of February in Centurion at 1300 local (1100 GMT). Till then, take care and goodbye.
Indian skipper, Virat Kohli, says he is very pleased after the win. Further adds the players did well in all three departments. Admits they needed this win after the last game. Reckons the South Africans were under pressure as they were the ones who could lose the series. Mentions it has been a collective effort by the whole team. States the top three have done really well and when that happens, not everybody gets an opportunity and when the rest do get it, they might not click. Ends by saying they want to win it 5-1 but there might be some new faces named in the eleven in the next game.
Man of the Match, Rohit Sharma, says this knock was a long time coming. Informs it was not easy in the middle as the wicket was on the slower side. States he enjoyed his batting out there. Admits they stuck to their plans and executed it well. Reckons it is important to keep a good frame of mind and that is what he was trying to do. He further adds he knew the runs would come as the confidence was there in him. He feels the celebration did not matter at the time of reaching the ton as the team was in a spot of bother. Ends by saying you have to make it count once you are in and it was his day today.
Losing skipper, Aiden Markram, starts by crediting the Indian side. Admits he was happy at the half time break but their batsmen let them down. Appreciates Lungi for the way he bowled. Further adds they did well to pull things back. Reckons they needed a couple of good partnerships which they did not get. Feels they need to find a way to build partnerships. Informs they are getting better after each game. He hopes to end the series with a win.
India on the other hand, failed to capitalize on the start given by their batsmen earlier in the day. They were also poor in the field as they dropped a few catches, 4 to be precise and also a run out chance. However, their bowling made up for it and all those chances did not haunt them. First it was Pandya who took the two important scalps of AB de Villiers and Duminy and then Kuldeep towards the end who ended up with figures of 4-57 to give India a comprehensive win. Stay tuned for the presentation.
Miller and Amla did try to re-build with a 62-run stand but once the former departed it was always going to be an uphill task. With the pitch getting slower and slower, runs were not easy to come by. Amla did try his best as he tried batting through. He did get his half ton up but was run out at the wrong time. Klaasen too played a decent knock but lacked support from the other end and finally he too perished.
Jubilation scenes in the Indian dressing room as they have bowled brilliantly to defend 274. Especially after the start the South Africans got. They were off to a flier as the opening pair stitched a 50-run stand. However, once the ball got a little soft they started losing wickets in quick succession. That too, big ones of Markram, Duminy and AB.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Morne Morkel. OUT! Chahal gets him the next ball! 4 wickets in the last 7 balls. Chahal tosses it up on off, it turns back in sharply. Morkel tries to work it with the spin but misses to get hit on the pads. The player appeals and the umpire agrees. All smiles on the Indian faces as they have WON BY 73 RUNS AND ALSO THE SERIES WITH A GAME IN HAND!
Yuzvendra Chahal to Morne Morkel. DROPPED! Another one which is hit with a lot of power towards Chahal. He tries to catch but can;t hang on.
Kuldeep Yadav to Lungi Ngidi. FOUR! No hat-trick! Ngidi smashes this full ball outside off through mid off for a boundary.
Lungi Ngidi is the last man in.
Kuldeep Yadav to Tabraiz Shamsi. OUT! Brilliant by Pandya, that has stuck. Shamsi bags a golden duck and Kuldeep gets two-in-two. He flights the ball on middle, Shamsi tries to loft it but does not get the distance. He only hits it high up in the air towards long on. There are two fielders going for it, Pandya and Dhawan. I don't think anybody there calls mine but Pandya in the end from long off runs towards it, sticks a hand out and plucks the ball out of thin air. Fourth wicket for Kuldeep and he is now on a hat-trick. India are now a wicket away.
Tabraiz Shamsi walks in at no. 10.
Kuldeep Yadav to Heinrich Klaasen. OUT! Stumped! There is the final nail in the coffin! Second in the over for Kuldeep. He once again is brave enough to toss it up outside off, it turns away further. Klaasen dances down the track and reaches for it but can't connect. Dhoni behind, collects the ball and whips the bails off in a flash. Third one for Kuldeep and a good innings but Klaasen comes to an end. He did try his best but was running out of partners. India are two wickets away now from a series win.
Kuldeep Yadav to Morne Morkel. A low full toss on middle, driven down to long on for a run.
Morne Morkel is the next man in.
Kuldeep Yadav to Kagiso Rabada. OUT! Caught! Rabada is walking back. All those dots have brought about his wicket. Yadav tosses it up on middle, Rabada tries to go big but it goes off the inner half towards Chahal at short mid-wicket who completes the catch. Kohli gives Rabada a send off before the walks back and South Africa are now staring down the barrel.
Kuldeep Yadav to Kagiso Rabada. Floats it on off, defended.
Kuldeep Yadav to bowl out.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Kagiso Rabada. Quicker on off, pushed down to long off for a run. 4 runs from this over, they need a move on now. 79 from 54 needed with 4 wickets in hand.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Heinrich Klaasen. Punched off the back foot by the batsman. One run added to the total.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Heinrich Klaasen. A big heave but connects with thin air. A tossed up ball outside off, turning away. Klaasen moves inside the line and tries to slog sweep but does not connect.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Kagiso Rabada. Shorter in length on off, Rabada pushes it down to long off for a run.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Kagiso Rabada. The googly, Rabada just can't find a run as he punches it to covers.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Heinrich Klaasen. Flatter on middle, pushed down to long on for a run.
Powerplay 3 has been signaled now! 5 fielders can be placed outside the ring. 83 needed in 60. Chahal is back into the attack now.
Jasprit Bumrah to Kagiso Rabada. Fuller on middle, driven to the bowler.
Jasprit Bumrah to Heinrich Klaasen. Bouncer, played down to fine leg for a run.
Jasprit Bumrah to Heinrich Klaasen. Yes, no, yes, no but no harm done! A slower ball on off, Klaasen defends it towards the off side. He sets off for a run and so does Rabada but seeing the fielder get to it quickly the non-striker says no. Klaasen though, turns and makes it in time.
Jasprit Bumrah to Heinrich Klaasen. On the stumps, worked to mid on.
Jasprit Bumrah to Heinrich Klaasen. Short and outside off, Klaasen tries to play the upper cut but does not connect. Kohli makes a loud appeal but he is the only one doing so.
Jasprit Bumrah to Heinrich Klaasen. Angles it into the batsman. He does really well to tuck it with soft hands towards backward square leg and some good running helps them take two.
Jasprit Bumrah is back into the attack.
Well, Kagiso must have been hurt there as he is receiving some treatment. What South Africa would not want now is the bouncer playing on Kagiso's mind. He though now seems fine to continue, after a few words from Klaasen.
Hardik Pandya to Kagiso Rabada. That has hit the badge! A sharp bouncer, a well-directed one. Rabada tries to pull but is late on it. The ball hits him flush on the helmet. Good gesture by Pandya as he asks him whether he is okay. Not sure whether Rabada would have done the same.
Hardik Pandya to Heinrich Klaasen. Slower ball on middle, worked through mid-wicket for a run.
Hardik Pandya to Kagiso Rabada. Rabada gets off the mark on the 10th delivery. On a length outside off, played through covers for a run.
Hardik Pandya to Kagiso Rabada. Fuller on off, drives to covers.
Hardik Pandya to Kagiso Rabada. On a length around off, defended to point. He needs to somehow give the strike to his partner.
Hardik Pandya to Kagiso Rabada. A sharp bouncer, Rabada evades it.
Kuldeep Yadav to Heinrich Klaasen. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot.
Kuldeep Yadav to Heinrich Klaasen. SIX! Make that 16 runs from the over! Not an easy shot to play. Short and on middle, Klaasen rocks back and just lifts it with a lot of power and over the fence behind the bowler. Can he do it single-handedly? 88 needed.
Kuldeep Yadav to Heinrich Klaasen. FOUR! 10 runs from the over so far! A bad ball and Kuldeep pays the price. Short and on middle, Klaasen goes back and pulls it hard through square leg. Chahal runs to his left but dives over the ball and it crosses the fence.
Kuldeep Yadav to Heinrich Klaasen. Almost! A short ball, the googly, Heinrich looks to pull but the ball lobs off the toe end of the bat, nearly carrying back to the bowler!
Kuldeep Yadav to Heinrich Klaasen. Shorter in length on off, Klaasen gets it off the toe end to mid off.
Kuldeep Yadav to Heinrich Klaasen. SIX! Many more needed! Comes down the track, gets to the pitch of it and just dispatches it over long off for a biggie. The runs required are under 100 now.
Hardik Pandya to Kagiso Rabada. Fuller on off, driven to mid off. Just three from this over. 104 from 78 now.
Hardik Pandya to Heinrich Klaasen. Crunched but straight to the fielder! On a length outside off, cracked through covers for a run.
Hardik Pandya to Kagiso Rabada. On the pads, Rabada fails to flick as the ball brushes the pads and goes towards square leg and the batsmen take a leg bye.
Hardik Pandya to Kagiso Rabada. On a length around middle, worked to mid-wicket.
Hardik Pandya to Heinrich Klaasen. On a length outside off, guided down to third man for a run.
Hardik Pandya to Heinrich Klaasen. Wide and short, the batsman goes after it but gets beaten.
Hardik Pandya is into the attack.
Kuldeep Yadav to Kagiso Rabada. The batsman works it down the leg side. End of a successful over, just one run and a wicket from it.
Kuldeep Yadav to Kagiso Rabada. Gives it air on off, Rabada tries to drive but gets an inside edge onto the pads.
Kuldeep Yadav to Kagiso Rabada. Loopy ball on off, Kagiso defends it solidly.
Kagiso Rabada walks out to the middle.
Kuldeep Yadav to Andile Phehlukwayo. OUT! TIMBER! Another one bites the dust! Beautiful from Kuldeep. He tosses it up on off, bowls the wrong 'un. It turns into the batsman, completely foxes him as he tries to defend. It sneaks through bat and pad and hits the top of leg stump. Yadav gets his first and India are now 4 wickets away.
Kuldeep Yadav to Heinrich Klaasen. Slower through the air, Klaasen works it around the corner for a run.
Kuldeep Yadav to Heinrich Klaasen. Drags his length back, Klaasen pushes it to covers.
Kuldeep Yadav is back into the attack.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Andile Phehlukwayo. Another bumper, Andile evades it.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Andile Phehlukwayo. A sharp bouncer and the batsman ducks under it.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Heinrich Klaasen. Defended off the back foot by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Andile Phehlukwayo comes out to bat.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Hashim Amla. OUT! Amla is just short and he has been run out. A big wicket, a big, big one and it is in the form of a run out. Just what South Africa did not want. However, brilliant by Pandya, he is having an excellent night out there. A length ball is pushed towards him and the batsmen set off for a run. He is quick to the ball and hits bull's eye at the bowler's end. They appeal, not a confident one but the umpire just to be sure goes upstairs and guess what? Amla is short and is given his marching orders. The Indians are ecstatic as they know they now have the game in their hands. A good innings nevertheless by Amla comes to an end but the hosts needed more. India are now 5 wickets away from taking the series.
A direct hit at the non-striker's end and have India got the wicket they want? Amla is the man in question. India don't look confident though.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Hashim Amla. On a length on middle, tucked to mid-wicket.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Heinrich Klaasen. Good length on off, guided down to third man to give the strike to Amla.
Jasprit Bumrah to Hashim Amla. Fuller on middle, pushed to mid on. 5 runs from this over.
Jasprit Bumrah to Hashim Amla. FOUR! That is classic Hashim Amla! A delight an absolute delight to the eyes there. Short and on off, Amla rocks back and punches it through covers for the boundary they needed.
Jasprit Bumrah to Hashim Amla. On a length around off, pushed to mid on.
Jasprit Bumrah to Heinrich Klaasen. Drop and run! Good batting. On a length around off, Klaasen taps it towards point for a quick run.
Jasprit Bumrah to Heinrich Klaasen. Angles it into the batsman, Klaasen gets an inside edge to mid-wicket.
Jasprit Bumrah to Heinrich Klaasen. On a length around off, guided to point.
Jasprit Bumrah back on.
Drinks!
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Hashim Amla. FOUR! Gets it through and that will release the pressure for the moment. Full and on off, driven through covers. It beats the diving mid off fielder and goes into the fence. 115 more needed now.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Hashim Amla. Three dots in a row! Pressure building! On a length around off, defended back to the bowler.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Hashim Amla. Just ahead of a length on the stumps, pushed back to the bowler who has a shy at the keeper's end but the ball hits the bat of the batsman. The partnership between the two is now 29.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Hashim Amla. Length ball around off, Amla guides it to point. He thinks about a run but is sent back.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Heinrich Klaasen. Fuller on off, driven through covers and Klaasen goes to the other end.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Hashim Amla. Good batting! On a length around off, Amla guides it down to third man to change strike. 120 needed now from 107.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is back into the attack.
Kuldeep Yadav to Hashim Amla. Loopy ball on off, lofts it towards wide long off for a run.
Kuldeep Yadav to Hashim Amla. Drags his length back and Amla keeps it out.
Kuldeep Yadav to Hashim Amla. Full on off, driven down the ground for another two. This is good by the South Africans, they know boundaries are hard to come by so they are running hard.
Kuldeep Yadav to Hashim Amla. Down the leg side, Amla flicks it fine and runs a couple. Also the 150 is up, 125 needed now.
Kuldeep Yadav to Hashim Amla. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Kuldeep Yadav to Heinrich Klaasen. Short ball on middle, the ball just never arrived. Klaasen is early into the pull as it goes off the toe end to long on for a run.
Kuldeep Yadav is back on. Also Chahal is off the field.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Hashim Amla. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 9 runs from the over, they needed a good one and they need to continue scoring.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Hashim Amla. Another couple! This is turning out to be a good over here. Shorter in length outside off, cut through point for two.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Hashim Amla. Nicely done again! Floats it full on middle, Amla chips it over the bowler and once again gets two.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Heinrich Klaasen. Floats it on middle, Klaasen tries to paddle it but it goes off the top edge over the keeper for a run.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Heinrich Klaasen. Flatter on the stumps, defended.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Heinrich Klaasen. FOUR! Picked the gap to perfection! Chahal tosses it up on middle, Klaasen goes down on one knee and sweeps it through squre leg for a boundary off the first ball. Good start to the over for South Africa.
Hardik Pandya to Heinrich Klaasen. Shorter in length on middle, Klaasen rocks back and pulls it through square leg for a run.
Hardik Pandya to Heinrich Klaasen. Good length on off, kept out.
Hardik Pandya to Hashim Amla. Good length outside off, guided down to third man for a run.
Hardik Pandya to Hashim Amla. Nicely played! A slower short ball on off, Amla waits for it and at the very last moment plays an upper cut. It goes over the keeper but did not have enough to reach the boundary and the batsmen get another couple.
Hardik Pandya to Heinrich Klaasen. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Hardik Pandya to Heinrich Klaasen. Back of a length on off, defended.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Hashim Amla. Fifty for Amla, his 35th in ODIs. It has been a patient knock by the opener. His job is though not done yet. He needs to bat all the way. He chips this ball over the bowler's head and bags a brace.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Hashim Amla. Flatter outside off, cut through point for a brace.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Hashim Amla. A big appeal but not given! Chahal gives it air around leg, it turns back in. Amla goes down to sweep but misses. Chahal asks the question but the umpire shakes his head. Pitching would have been an issue there. But wait, Hawk Eye does not agree with me there, it shows three reds, which means it was out. Only if India had not wasted their review though.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Hashim Amla. On the stumps, Amla defends it. Three dots now.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Hashim Amla. Floats it up on off, Amla goes for the drive but does not connect.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Hashim Amla. Tosses it up on off, turning away. Amla goes for the booming drive but is beaten.
Hardik Pandya to Heinrich Klaasen. Shorter in length, Klaasen evades it. Just 2 runs from the over, 145 needed now in 132.
Hardik Pandya to Heinrich Klaasen. Runs scoring is not easy here, Klaasen is finding out. A full ball on off, stays low. The batsman tries to drive but gets an inside edge onto the leg side.
Hardik Pandya to Heinrich Klaasen. Shorter in length outside off, Klaasen tries to cut but gets an inside edge towards the leg side.
Hardik Pandya to Hashim Amla. Short and outside off, Amla guides it down to third man for a run. 7500 ODI runs come up for him with that single.
Hardik Pandya to Heinrich Klaasen. Angles it into the batsman. Klaasen works it around the corner for a run.
Hardik Pandya to Heinrich Klaasen. On a length around off, defended.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Heinrich Klaasen. Floats it up on middle, Klaasen tries to defend but it takes the inner edge and goes through square leg for a run.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Heinrich Klaasen. Tosses it up on off, pushed to covers.
Heinrich Klaasen walks out to the middle
Yuzvendra Chahal to David Miller. OUT! Knocks him over! There goes Miller, Chahal gets the breakthrough. He tosses it up, inviting Miller to go after him. David does so by coming down the track. He swings but is beaten by the low bounce and the ball clips the leg pole. The 62-run stand has been broken and a disappointed Miller walks back. He knew he had to stay out there. Nevertheless, a timely wicket for India and they are back on top now. 148 needed now.
Yuzvendra Chahal to David Miller. The googly on middle, Miller rocks back and defends it.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Hashim Amla. Flatter on off, pushed through covers for a run.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Hashim Amla. FOUR! Excellent shot! A much-needed boundary for the hosts. A bad ball to be honest, down the leg side. Amla sweeps it very fine down the leg side and the ball races away.
Hardik Pandya to Hashim Amla. The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.
Hardik Pandya to Hashim Amla. Another short ball which stays low. Amla tries to pull but misses to get hit high on the pads. The players make a muted appeal but nothing from the umpire.
Hardik Pandya to David Miller. Shorter in length on off, pushed through covers for a run.
Hardik Pandya to Hashim Amla. Straight to Rahane but put down! India don't look like in a mood to catch the ball tonight. Pandya bangs it short outside off, Amla cuts it hard but uppishly towards Rahane at point, who is safe as houses but this time can't hang on to it. It went to him quickly but he should have taken it. A reprieve for Amla. Will this prove costly?
Hardik Pandya to Hashim Amla. That has not bounced, not bounced at all! We did see that in the first innings when Rabada bowled. Pandya bangs it short outside off, the ball does not rise as Amla tries to pull. It hits his glove and then on his pads and rolls to the keeper.
Hardik Pandya to Hashim Amla. Fuller in length, looks like the slower one. Amla keeps it out.
Yuzvendra Chahal to David Miller. Down the leg side, David looks to flick but the ball goes off his pads and lobs towards Dhoni.
Yuzvendra Chahal to David Miller. Full and outside off, swept straight to square leg.
Yuzvendra Chahal to David Miller. WIDE. Down the leg side, slow turn, Miller misses his flick.
Yuzvendra Chahal to David Miller. The batsman defends it from within the crease.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Hashim Amla. Full and down the leg side, flicked through square leg for a run.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Hashim Amla. IN THE AIR... SAFE! Full and outside off, Amla comes down the track and looks to go over the top. But he miscues it towards cover. Shreyas Iyer comes running in from sweeper and dives forward but the ball lands well in front. Two runs taken. 158 more needed from 154 balls.
Yuzvendra Chahal to David Miller. Comes down the track, takes it on the full and bashes it down the ground. Just a single to long on. Miller will be disappointed with that. 50-RUN STAND is up in 68 balls.
Hardik Pandya to David Miller. Outside off, run down to third man for a single.
Hardik Pandya to David Miller. Full and outside off, driven towards mid off.
Hardik Pandya to David Miller. Outside off, Miller looks to punch but gets a bottom edge towards the bowler.
Hardik Pandya to David Miller. Short and outside off, punched straight to Virat Kohli at short extra cover who fumbles but does not concede anything.
Hardik Pandya to Hashim Amla. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot for a single.
Hardik Pandya to Hashim Amla. WIDE. A massive appeal put in by India for a caught behind. The response from Ian Gould is to stretch his arms. A short ball, around middle, Amla looks to pull but misses. Nothing on it, from the replays.
A chat between Hardik and Bumrah. The latter giving some advice to the bowler.
Hardik Pandya to David Miller. Down the leg side, worked through mid-wicket for a single.
Change of pace. Kohli brings on Hardik Pandya. Would not want the batsmen to get used to a particular bowler.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Hashim Amla. Pitched outside leg, Hashim looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads.
Yuzvendra Chahal to David Miller. Full and down the leg side, David looks to sweep but gets a bit of a top edge down to fine leg. Just a run.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Hashim Amla. Outside off, a tad short, cut behind point for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Hashim Amla. Landed around off, Amla looks to defend but misses and is beaten by the big turn.
Yuzvendra Chahal to David Miller. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total.
Chahal getting some attention from the physio. He seems to be in a bit of pain.
Yuzvendra Chahal to David Miller. BANG! Terrific shot, excellent stop from Chahal. Full on middle, Miller charged down the track and hammered it down the ground. That came back like a rocket and Chahal actually did well to stick out his left hand. Tough to call that a dropped chance. Fortunately for him, it is not his bowling hand.
Kuldeep Yadav to David Miller. Full and outside off again, driven through the covers. Shreyas Iyer in the deep fumbles but concedes only a run.
Kuldeep Yadav to David Miller. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover. Virat Kohli over there, eggs his team on - 'ONE WICKET, BOYS!'
Kuldeep Yadav to Hashim Amla. The batsman has driven it through mid off for a single.
Kuldeep Yadav to Hashim Amla. Lucky! Outside off, the googly, Amla does not read it and goes hard at it. Gets a thick inside edge which goes past the stumps to fine leg! Two runs taken.
Kuldeep Yadav to David Miller. Full and outside off, driven wide of cover for a single.
Kuldeep Yadav to David Miller. Tossed up around off, Miller reads the line and shoulders arms. Plenty of turn available now.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Hashim Amla. Extravagant turn. Full and around middle, Amla lunges to defend but the ball spins away past the outside edge. Dhoni behind demolishes the stumps.
Yuzvendra Chahal to David Miller. Flicks it towards square leg who misfields and concedes a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Hashim Amla. Comes down the track but is not to the pitch of the ball. Pads it away and then runs. Shouldn't that be a dead ball if he has not offered a shot? Bizarre. A leg bye awarded.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Hashim Amla. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
Yuzvendra Chahal to David Miller. 100 UP FOR SOUTH AFRICA. 175 more needed from 178 balls. Pretty straight and full, David uses his long reach and sweeps it behind square leg for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to David Miller. That was the wrong 'un, not picked by Miller who just about gets his bat down to defend.
Kuldeep Yadav to Hashim Amla. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.
Kuldeep Yadav to David Miller. Outside off, DM looks to cut but gets a bottom edge towards point. Just a single.
Kuldeep Yadav to Hashim Amla. Full and outside off, driven down to long off again, for one more. Amla moves to 30 from 47 balls.
Kuldeep Yadav to David Miller. Full and outside off, driven down to long off for a run.
Kuldeep Yadav to David Miller. Beautiful. Tosses this one outside off, on the rough created, Miller looks to defend but the ball spins past the outside edge.
Kuldeep Yadav to Hashim Amla. Outside off, spinning in, punched down to long on for a single. 179 more needed from 185 balls.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Hashim Amla. Floated on middle, Amla looks to flick but gets a leading edge towards long off. A run taken. Excellent comeback from Chahal - 6 off his first ball, just 2 off the next 5.
Yuzvendra Chahal to David Miller. Down the leg side, David looks to sweep but the ball goes off the toe end of the bat towards mid-wicket. Just a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to David Miller. Full and outside off, watchfully defended.
Yuzvendra Chahal to David Miller. On middle and leg, helped towards mid-wicket.
Yuzvendra Chahal to David Miller. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Yuzvendra Chahal to David Miller. SIX! Clean as a whistle. Tossed up on middle and leg, Miller comes down the track and sends this a long way back over the sightscreen, That side of the boundary itself is 78 metres and it looked to be going a good 15 metres beyond that.
Kuldeep Yadav to Hashim Amla. On middle and leg, wristed straight to square leg.
Kuldeep Yadav to Hashim Amla. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
Kuldeep Yadav to David Miller. Eases this past the bowler down to long on for a run.
Kuldeep Yadav to David Miller. Outside off, left alone.
Kuldeep Yadav to Hashim Amla. Full and outside off, driven down to long off for a single. 189 more needed from 196 balls.
Kuldeep Yadav to Hashim Amla. Down the leg side, clipped straight to square leg.
Yuzvendra Chahal to David Miller. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads.
Yuzvendra Chahal to David Miller. That definitely straightened, David works it straight to square leg.
Yuzvendra Chahal to David Miller. NOT OUT. Missing the stumps. India lose a review. Strange review from India. Perhaps they thought, the ball would clip the stumps at least, so their review will not be lost. However, it is not to be so. Miller looked to defend a fairly straight ball and missed, getting hit on the pads. It was pitched around middle and spun in quite a long way, meaning that there was very little chance of it hitting the stumps. Chahal was confident though and Dhoni supported him. Kohli wasted no time in signalling for the review and Hawk Eye did not waste any time either in indicating that the ball would spin down leg. Kohli is shocked. 'MISSING?' he quips.
HOWZZAT? The umpire says not out. Chahal is confident he has his man. Kohli looks at Dhoni, then takes the review.
Yuzvendra Chahal to David Miller. On middle, flicked towards square leg. Wants a single, does Amla, but is sent back.
Yuzvendra Chahal to David Miller. Full and outside off, Miller reaches out and reverse sweeps it through point for a couple. The stand moves to 20 from 21 balls.
Interesting. Dhoni yells to one of his players - 'BAHUT ZOR KA AAYEGAA TERE PAAS!' meaning it will come very powerfully towards you. Whom was this indicated to? Bowler? Mid-wicket? Cover?
Yuzvendra Chahal to David Miller. Tossed up outside off, watchfully defended.
Spin from both ends now. Yuzvendra Chahal into the attack.
DRINKS BREAK. Excellent passage of play for India. They were unlucky in the first 9 overs but Markram's wicket has opened the floodgates. With AB de Villiers gone, someone will have to play a blinder of an innings to take South Africa even close to India's total, let alone haul it.
Kuldeep Yadav to David Miller. A low full toss on middle, dipping in, pushed towards long on for one more.
Kuldeep Yadav to David Miller. FOUR! Had he missed, he would have been a dead duck. Very full from Kuldeep, Miller pre-meditates his sweep shot and luckily for the batsman, he does not miss the ball. It travels like a rocket and goes through mid-wicket. Miller moves to 13 from 12 balls.
Kuldeep Yadav to Hashim Amla. A full toss now, driven straight to widish long off for just another single.
Kuldeep Yadav to David Miller. Full and outside off, driven down to long off for one.
Kuldeep Yadav to Hashim Amla. Floated outside off, Amla looks to go big but hits this down to wide long off. Just a run. 199 more needed from 208 balls.
Kuldeep Yadav to David Miller. Tossed up outside off, Miller initially lines up to sweep but then adjusts, reaching out and pushing the ball to long off for a single. The stand is worth 10 from 14 balls.
Hardik Pandya to Hashim Amla. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.
Hardik Pandya to Hashim Amla. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Hardik Pandya to David Miller. Pitched outside leg, DM misses his flick and is hit on the pads. Pandya appeals initially but then bails out, concentrating on stopping the ball. The batsmen pinch a leg bye.
Hardik Pandya to David Miller. Full and outside off, David leans into this one and drives it through the covers for a couple.
Hardik Pandya to David Miller. FOUR! Terrific shot. Miller walks across his stumps and clips it through square leg. No man is seen on the leg side and the batsman gets a boundary.
Hardik Pandya to David Miller. Aggression from Pandya! Miller pushes this back to the bowler after walking a few steps. He then calmly gets back as he sees the bowler picking up the ball but it does not stop there. Pandya picks up the ball and then mimes a shy at the striker's end. But his aggression is defeated by the fact that Miller is not the least bit interested.
Kuldeep Yadav to Hashim Amla. Landed around off, spinning in, watchfully defended.
Kuldeep Yadav to David Miller. Full and outside off, Miller reaches out and sweeps it through square leg for a single. Gets off the mark.
Kuldeep Yadav to David Miller. It's been driven superbly through the covers.
Kuldeep Yadav to David Miller. Beaten! Outside off, David pushes forward to defend but is beaten.
Kuldeep Yadav to David Miller. Full and outside off, Miller defends it solidly towards cover.
Kuldeep Yadav to Hashim Amla. On middle, turned through mid-wicket for a single. 209 more needed from 221 balls.
Hardik Pandya to David Miller. The batsman defends it from within the crease. 3 runs and a wicket from this over as well - Pandya's figures read 2-0-6-2!
Into the middle order in a flash. David Miller walks out at number 5, to face the music.
Hardik Pandya to AB de Villiers. OUT! There goes the match and the series! Too early to say? AB de Villiers has come and gone and India are all over South Africa like a rash. 3 wickets in the span of 20 balls. Hardik gets his second wicket in his second over. And we are not even properly into the spinners yet. All the best, South Africa. Coming to the ball, de Villiers flashes hard to a length delivery and does not move his feet. Only gets a thick outside edge and Dhoni does the rest. Hardik Pandya is all smiles. Now talk about 275 to chase...
Hardik Pandya to Hashim Amla. Full and outside off, driven through the covers for one.
Hardik Pandya to Hashim Amla. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.
Hardik Pandya to AB de Villiers. Outside off, punched off the back foot for a run.
Hardik Pandya to Hashim Amla. ALMOST! A length ball outside off, Amla slashes hard and gets a thick outside edge. The ball flies just wide of that man standing at wide slip. Jasprit Bumrah makes a fine stop at third man to keep the batsmen to a single.
Kuldeep Yadav to AB de Villiers. DIRECT HIT WOULD HAVE HAD AMLA. De Villiers works this through square leg and calls for the second. Amla responds but is a touch slow while turning for the second run. Hardik quickly gets to the ball and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Amla was a goner.
Kuldeep Yadav to AB de Villiers. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Kuldeep Yadav to AB de Villiers. 'NA NA!' shouts Dhoni. But Kuldeep gets away with that. A full toss outside off, de Villiers smashes it through the covers. Does not run, thinking that it will be a boundary but Rohit Sharma covers good ground to his left from long off and dives to stop the ball. Now de Villiers puts in the hard yards and returns for the second.
Kuldeep Yadav to Hashim Amla. Now Amla flicks it away for one.
Kuldeep Yadav to AB de Villiers. Down the leg side, de Villiers goes back and works it through fine leg for a single. Gets off the mark.
Kuldeep Yadav to Hashim Amla. The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total. 219 more needed from 233 balls. Amla moves to 20 from 29 balls.
First sign of spin. Here is Kuldeep Yadav.
Hardik Pandya to AB de Villiers. Around off, coming in, worked to the leg side. 3 runs and a wicket from the first over of the man with a tinge of blue hair.
AB de Villiers walks in at number 4, replacing Duminy. A truckload of responsibility lies on the shoulders of him and Amla. Another quick wicket and this game could be done and dusted.
Hardik Pandya to JP Duminy. OUT! Edged and taken! Pandya has struck in his opening over and the South African middle order is exposed again. A length ball outside off, Duminy pushes at it without moving his feet and only gets a thick outside edge. Straight into the hands of Rohit Sharma at first slip who makes no mistake. Another failure for JP. 2 wickets in 8 balls for India.
Hardik Pandya to JP Duminy. Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.
Hardik Pandya to Hashim Amla. Works this away for a run.
Hardik Pandya to JP Duminy. Outside off, pushed wide of mid off for a quick run. A direct hit could have had him struggling but Shreyas Iyer missed.
There is some issue with Mahendra Singh Dhoni's finger. While attempting the catch, the ball hit him on the right hand and he is in pain. No physio though, play continues.
Hardik Pandya to Hashim Amla. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Hardik Pandya comes on to bowl now.
POWERPLAY 2 time.
Jasprit Bumrah to JP Duminy. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 1 run and a wicket from the over, Bumrah's figures read 5-0-14-1. Brilliant with the new ball again.
Jasprit Bumrah to JP Duminy. DROPPED! Or not? Lucky escape for Duminy first up. He gets a length ball around off and looks to defend. But the ball cuts back in sharply and beats him for room. He tries to get his bat in the way to cover the line but it goes off the inside edge and almost carries to Mahendra Singh Dhoni behind.
JP Duminy walks in at number 3, replacing his skipper.
Jasprit Bumrah to Aiden Markram. OUT! Markram's luck finally runs out. India have broken through, just towards the closing stages of Powerplay 1. A length ball, on middle, Aiden looks to flick but gets a leading edge. Luckily for India, there is a mortal standing underneath it. Virat Kohli is the name. Takes the catch and then is pumped up with anger written everywhere on his face. But the Proteas have managed a good opening stand. Upto the middle order now.
Jasprit Bumrah to Aiden Markram. Outside off, punched straight to cover.
Jasprit Bumrah to Hashim Amla. Now an inside edge. The ball goes between his legs to fine leg. A single taken.
Jasprit Bumrah to Hashim Amla. Full and outside off, Amla looks to push but gets a leading edge which does not carry to the bowler.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Hashim Amla. Now Amla follows suit, dabbing the ball to third man for a run again. 10 from that over, Bhuvi has gone for 21 in his last 2, without actually bowling badly.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aiden Markram. Outside off, tapped to third man for a single. 50-RUN OPENING STAND. Great effort from the Proteas.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aiden Markram. FOUR! Stunning shot. On a length outside off, Markram gets on top of the bounce and punches it through point for a boundary! Successive ones for the captain. 226 more needed from 248 balls.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aiden Markram. FOUR! More luck for Markram. A length ball outside off, the skipper just has a hack. But it is a slower one and comes slowly off the surface. The result is that the ball goes off the inner half of the bat. But it is the shorter side of the ground and once it beats Hardik Pandya at square leg, just races away. The fielder starts to run, then looks at deep square leg and stops a bit, thinking that the latter will get to the ball. That costs him. Had he just continued running after the ball, might have saved the boundary.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aiden Markram. Full and outside off, driven uppishly but straight to cover.
It is coming, it is coming, it is coming. It is raining a few metres away from the ground. Don't want that coming over here...
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aiden Markram. On middle, pushed straight to short mid-wicket.
Jasprit Bumrah to Aiden Markram. Outside off, punched wide of cover for one.
Jasprit Bumrah to Hashim Amla. Outside off, Hashim punches this towards cover and calls for a quick run. Hardik Pandya quickly gets across, takes aim, then has a shy at the bowler's end, only to miss. Amla would have been in anyways.
Jasprit Bumrah to Hashim Amla. Too straight, whipped straight to square leg.
Jasprit Bumrah to Hashim Amla. Slower ball, outside off, cutting in, pushed towards cover.
Jasprit Bumrah to Aiden Markram. On a length outside off, Aiden pushes it towards mid on and calls Amla through for a quick single.
Jasprit Bumrah to Aiden Markram. Full on middle, Markram is early into his flick and gets a leading edge which does not carry to cover.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aiden Markram. Outside off, dabbed to short third man for a run. 11 from that over.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aiden Markram. SIX! Great pick-up shot! Markram showing his intent here. A length ball on middle, Aiden just gets across and flicks it over square leg. The ball lands full on the ropes. Markram moves to 20 from 21 balls. 238 more needed from 259 balls.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aiden Markram. Straight, in line of the stumps, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.
The off side sweeper comes in. Fine leg, who was up, has gone back.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aiden Markram. Full and outside off, pushed straight to mid off.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aiden Markram. Now an outside edge is induced, which flies straight to short third man on the bounce.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aiden Markram. FOUR! Oh dear... what a way to find the gap. Outside off, Markram looks to punch this through the off side but gets a bottom edge. The ball goes between short third man and backward point but neither man puts in the dive and the ball goes through!
Keeper up.
Jasprit Bumrah to Hashim Amla. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.
Jasprit Bumrah to Hashim Amla. Stays back in his crease and blocks.
Jasprit Bumrah to Hashim Amla. The batsman defends it from within the crease.
Jasprit Bumrah to Hashim Amla. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
Jasprit Bumrah to Aiden Markram. DROPPED! Shreyas Iyer the culprit. Straightforward chance. Outside off, Markram hits this straight to cover, looking to go over the top. Iyer is standing a bit closer than normal but still, by international standards, that should have been taken. It isn't. The ball bursts through his hands and the batsmen take a single.
Jasprit Bumrah to Hashim Amla. Excellent fielding effort. Amla wrists this through square leg and the ball races away. Bhuvneshwar Kumar races to his left too, getting to the ball and then sliding, getting his left leg to stop the ball. Three runs taken. 248 more needed from 269 balls.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aiden Markram. Walks across his stumps, again trying to force the issue. Misses his flick and the ball runs off his pads past the keeper who runs behind it. Two leg byes taken.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aiden Markram. Now he mistimes one over mid on. Is lucky that the ball lands safely. Returns for the second again.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aiden Markram. The ring of fielders on the leg side nearly produces a wicket. Virat has two men in the deep, both on the leg side and also two men catching at mid-wicket. So Aiden moves to the leg side and looks to go off side but the ball hits the toe end of the bat and lobs over cover. Two runs taken.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aiden Markram. Comes down the track and looks to go over the top but misses and is hit on the body. He is feeling the pressure, is Markram, consuming 12 balls for his 5 runs.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aiden Markram. On middle, pushed straight to mid on.
RUMBLE!!! It has been overcast all day, or rather, for most of the evening and now, we have heard the first sound of thunder. The breeze has picked up as well. All these are signs of an unwanted guest... fingers crossed...
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aiden Markram. JUST WIDE! Close call for Markram. Almost falls into the trap. Full on off, Aiden whips it uppishly and nearly gives a catch to Rohit Sharma at short mid-wicket. He dives to his right but is a tad late. Mid-wicket then cuts it off. No run.
Jasprit Bumrah to Hashim Amla. Full and outside off, Hashim pushes at it but the ball comes slowly off the surface and goes off the inside edge towards short mid-wicket.
Jasprit Bumrah to Aiden Markram. Down the leg side, Markram flicks it uppishly towards fine leg for a run.
Jasprit Bumrah to Aiden Markram. Outside off, well blocked out.
Jasprit Bumrah to Hashim Amla. A length ball outside off, cutting in, Amla waits for the ball to come to him and then dabs it to third man for a single. 259 more needed from 279 balls.
Jasprit Bumrah to Hashim Amla. Full and just outside off, solidly defended.
Jasprit Bumrah to Hashim Amla. On a length outside off, coming in, worked to the leg side.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aiden Markram. Outside off, moving away, played straight to point. A very good over from Bhuvi, especially after going for a boundary on the second ball.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aiden Markram. Full and outside off, hint of outswing, driven straight to mid off.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Hashim Amla. Outside off, slashed behind point for a single.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aiden Markram. This one slants into the right-hander, Aiden misses his tuck and is hit on the pads. A leg bye stolen.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aiden Markram. FOUR! Gets it through! Markram gets off the mark. A length ball outside off, Markram gets forward and punches it between cover and mid off for a boundary.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aiden Markram. Outside off, defended watchfully.
Jasprit Bumrah to Hashim Amla. Outside off, punched straight to point.
Jasprit Bumrah to Hashim Amla. FOUR! That is a really good shot. Amla gets across and Bumrah bowls it a touch short around off. The maestro just works it through mid-wicket and the timing takes the ball down the hill to the boundary. Yuzvendra Chahal puts in a good effort from square leg, running behind the ball and then diving but in vain.
Jasprit Bumrah to Hashim Amla. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Jasprit Bumrah to Hashim Amla. Short and outside off, punched straight to cover.
Jasprit Bumrah to Hashim Amla. Outside off, defended solidly.
Jasprit Bumrah to Hashim Amla. Outside off, a dipping full toss, pushed towards cover. Bumrah indicates that it slipped out of the hand.
Jasprit Bumrah to bowl from the other end with the second new ball.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aiden Markram. A dot to end the over! 5 from the first. Markram solidly defends the ball onto the ground.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aiden Markram. On a length around off, kept out.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Hashim Amla. On the pads, worked through mid-wicket for a run.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Hashim Amla. FOUR! Amla is off the mark in style! Full and outside off, Amla opens the face of his bat and guides it through backward point. It was in the air but away from the fielder and the ball races away.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Hashim Amla. Attacking the pads of Amla, trying to trap him in front. He gets his bat down in time and pushes it to mid on.
There is a delay as Amla is not happy with something near the sightscreen. One of the advertisement boards are not covered and that is troubling Amla. However, the issue has been fixed now and we are ready to go.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Hashim Amla. Right on the money! On a length around off, Amla watchfully defends it onto the ground.
We are back for the chase. It will be interesting to see if the pitch quickens up under floodlights as it got considerably slow towards the end of the innings. India will surely hope it gets slower as they make their way out to the middle. Whereas, Hashim Amla and Aiden Markram will want the opposite they will open the batting for South Africa. Bhuvneshwar Kumar will start the proceedings for India. He has one slip in place. Here we go...