On January 23, 2018, India achieved its first bilateral ODI series victory in South Africa by winning the fifth ODI by 73 runs. Rohit Sharma’s 115 runs and Kuldeep Yadav’s 4 wickets were pivotal to this historic win, elevating India to the top of the ICC ODI rankings.
On January 23, 2018, India marked a historic achievement by securing their first bilateral ODI series victory in South Africa, concluding the series with a 73-run win in the fifth ODI held at St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth. This victory established India as a formidable contender in South African territory, an achievement that had long eluded them.
Rohit Sharma played a pivotal role in this win, scoring 115 runs off 126 balls, including 11 fours and four sixes, thus marking his 17th ODI century. His innings set a strong foundation for India, who posted a total of 274 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their allotted 50 overs.
India’s innings started positively with Shikhar Dhawan’s quick 34 runs off 23 balls and Virat Kohli’s 36 runs off 54 balls. However, after a promising start, the middle order struggled. Notably, Ajinkya Rahane was run out for 8, and Hardik Pandya scored a duck. Shreyas Iyer contributed 30 runs but failed to maintain the necessary run rate during pivotal moments.
In response, South Africa began their chase well with an opening partnership of 52 runs between Hashim Amla and Aiden Markram. While Amla anchored the innings with a composed 71 off 92 balls, the Indian bowlers effectively dismantled the batting lineup. Kuldeep Yadav’s exceptional bowling clinched 4 wickets for 57 runs, while Yuzvendra Chahal and Hardik Pandya took 2 wickets each, with Pandya also making a crucial run out of Amla.
This series win not only marked India’s first ODI series victory in South Africa but also elevated them to the top of the ICC ODI rankings. India’s wrist spinners, particularly Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, played a significant role in this success, collectively capturing a staggering 30 out of the 43 wickets that fell at an impressive average of 13.63 per wicket, demonstrating their dominance over the South African batters throughout the series.
India’s first ODI bilateral series win in South Africa on January 23, 2018, represented a significant milestone in cricket history. The match showcased Rohit Sharma’s stellar performance and highlighted the effectiveness of India’s spin bowlers, leading to a comprehensive victory and a rise to the top of the ICC ODI rankings. This achievement reflects India’s growing prowess in international cricket.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
