Team India led by Virat Kohli clinched the ongoing six-match ODI series against South Africa by registering a thumping 73-run victory in the fifth ODI at St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth on Tuesday.
Earlier, South Africa stand-in Proteas skipper Aiden Markram won the toss and elected to bowl. At first, India’s opening duo of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan forged a 48-run stand before Rohit shared a 105-run partnership for the second wicket with skipper Virat Kohli.
Just like the last two ODIs, Team India experienced yet another collapse in the middle order with Ajinkya Rahane and Hardik Pandya falling in quick succession.
Struggling for form throughout the South Africa tour, Rohit Sharma was the stand out batsman for India, scoring his 17th ODI century (115 off 126 balls) with the help of 11 fours and 4 sixes. Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 20-ball 19 at the last stage propelled the visitors to a decent total of 274/7 in their 50 overs.
In reply, the Proteas batsmen once again struggled against the Indian wrist spinners. The duo of Kuldeep and Chahal claimed 6 wickets while bowling in tandem as the hosts got bundled out for 201 in 42.2 overs and consequently handed India their maiden bilateral ODI series victory on the South African soil.
Seeing yet another stellar show from the Men in Blue in South Africa, Twitteratis were in full of praise for Virat Kohli & Co.
Here are some of the best Twitter reactions:
Congratulations India on a historic series win. The wrist spinners have been incredible and this win must be really sweet for Virat and the boys. Thoroughly outplayed South Africa #SAvIND
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) February 13, 2018
Congrats India on the series win. Played the better cricket all series #SAvsIND
— Robin John Peterson (@robbie13flair) February 13, 2018
Congratulations Team India for sealing a well deserved first ever bilateral ODI series victory in South Africa. it's a day to celebrate! @BCCI pic.twitter.com/D0Mt3WDBRj
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) February 13, 2018
Numero Uno!! A fantastic series win by #TeamIndia🇮🇳 Impressive work by both the wrist spinners, @imkuldeep18 and @yuzi_chahal and a great Knock by @ImRo45. Keep it up, boys👍 pic.twitter.com/DgJlYSBAiP
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) February 13, 2018
Done and dusted!! Great team effort to win the ODI series. Congratulations #TeamIndia🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/svvrIeUiw0
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) February 14, 2018
When Virat Kohli Scores India Wins Matches, When Rohit Sharma Scores India Wins Series. 4-1 💪🙏🇮🇳#INDvSA #INDvsSA #SAvIND #SAvsInd
— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) February 13, 2018
This is a memorable moment for this side. Have done something that previous Indian teams couldn't. Win an odi series in SA
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 13, 2018
EPIC First ODI series win by Team India in South Africa 👐 … Way to go guys @bcci , Kudos @imVkohli another feather in your hat and Indian team #SAvIND
— Sudeep Tyagi (@sudeeptyagi005) February 13, 2018
India beat South Africa by 73 runs in the 5th ODI#INDvSA #SAvIND #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/xhA8fVJ36c
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 13, 2018
Great achievement by this team India on winning the series in south African soil. Not many teams have done that 👏👏 N Fantastic bowling display by spinners #INDvsSA
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) February 13, 2018
Many many congratulations to #TeamIndia @imVkohli @RaviShastriOfc for a terrific #INDvSA series win. Way to go @BCCI
— Rahul Johri (@RJohri) February 13, 2018
Many Congratulations to the Indian Cricket team on their first bilateral series win in South Africa. Brilliant consistency and hunger throughout and winning this series overseas is just a sign of things to come. Special team #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/eISyJ6HzUN
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 13, 2018
India now have the chance to whitewash South Africa green on Friday #SAvIND
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) February 13, 2018
Maiden ODI series win in SA is fantastic achievement. Congrats @imVkohli & Co, @RaviShastriOfc. More worlds to conquer from here!
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) February 13, 2018
Congratulations to Virat Kohli and his Indian team on yet another stellar performance and a series win. This is Virat Kohli ‘s India and its a special team. Great great result. #SAvIND
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) February 13, 2018
Perfect Valentine's Day gift from Virat Kohli #INDvSA #SAvIND #ValentinesDay2018 #ValentinesDay #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/FFTYL1c6Lh
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 13, 2018
