Virat Kohli scores 34th ODI ton as India crush South Africa to go 3-0 up

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Kohli registered his 34th ODI ton in India's big win.

    India took a 3-0 lead in the one-day series against South Africa after recording a comprehensive 124-run win in the third ODI at Newlands on Wednesday.

    Virat Kohli‘s team amassed 303-6 in their 50 overs after being sent in to bat by Aiden Markram. Captain Kohli made his second century of the series, smashing an unbeaten 160 to go with scores of 112 and 46 not out in the first two games.

    In reply, the Proteas were bundled out for 175 as they suffered a rare loss in what is their favourite home venue in ODI cricket.

    We take a look at the good and the bad from India’s comprehensive win.

    THE GOOD

  • Mickey Arthur says ton-machine Virat Kohli will struggle in Pakistan

  • KOHLI THE KING OF ODIs

    Is there any stopping Virat Kohli in his current form? After registering his first-ever ODI ton on South African soil in the opening game, Kohli went one step further in Cape Town.

    After India lost Rohit Sharma early, Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan steadied the ship with a 140-run stand for the second wicket. Kohli then had to watch as wickets tumbled around him following Dhawan’s dismissal. Even so, he made batting look easy on a wicket that was far from flat.

    After reaching his century, Kohli led the hunt for late runs as he forged an unbeaten 67-run stand with Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The 29-year-old brought up his 150 towards the end and finished India’s innings with a massive six and boundary.

    Kohli collected 100 of his 160 runs through singles.

    Kohli collected 100 of his 160 runs through singles.

    NO STOPPING THE SPIN TWINS

    South Africa needed to find a way to combat India’s wrist spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. If the Proteas did have a new gameplan after struggling against them in the first two ODIs, it wasn’t to be seen on Wednesday as the pair decimated the hosts once again.

    Kuldeep broke a dangerous second-wicket stand between Aiden Markram and JP Duminy in his very first over before returning to dismiss Chris Morris, Andile Phehlukwayo and Lungi Ngidi. Chahal on the other hand, also accounted for four Proteas batsmen.

    With this, the two have have now accounted for 21 of the 28 South African wickets to fall in three matches.

    Kuldeep and Chahal proved too hot to handle once again.

    Kuldeep and Chahal proved too hot to handle once again.

    THE BAD

    MS DHONI’S STRUGGLES CONTINUE

    That MS Dhoni has lost his edge with the bat over the last few years is well known. The veteran wicketkeeper-batsman came into bat after Hardik Pandya’s dismissal. With the skipper going great guns at the other end, all Dhoni had to do was play the supporting role but he struggled.

    The 36-year-old was unable to rotate strike effectively and put pressure on himself. The scoreboard pressure got to Dhoni as he stepped out to take on Imran Tahir but miscued his shot into the hands of the long-on fielder.

    That dismissal brought an end to Dhoni’s scratchy 22-ball knock that yielded only 10 runs. He did affect his 400th ODI dismissal behind the stumps but in front of the wickets, Dhoni had a forgettable day.

    Dhoni struggled to rotate the strike while batting with Virat.

    Dhoni struggled to rotate the strike while batting with Virat.

    HASHIM AMLA FALLS EARLY

    For the third time in as many matches, Hashim Amla was dismissed before India’s spinners came on to bowl. The opening batsman is the best player of spin in the side, especially in the absence of AB De Villiers and Faf du Plessis. With India’s spinners wreaking havoc, the hosts needed their best batsman to stay at the crease a lot longer.

    However, Amla survived just two balls in the chase and with him, went most of South Africa’s hopes. The right-handed batsman missed the line altogether against a straight Jasprit Bumrah delivery while trying to shuffle across the stumps. The 34-year-old was trapped plumb in front and the umpire had no hesitation in sending him back.

    Amla's innings was a short-lived one once again.

    Amla’s innings was a short-lived one once again.

    Recommended