India Beat South Africa By 35 Runs in Must Win Game

Virat Kohli put on a magnificent show with the bat for India as he blasted his 23rd century. For South Africa, AB de Villiers put on a brave show but his 22nd century could not help the Proteas get over the line.

It was almost exactly how MS Dhoni would have wanted it to be. Turning track. Win toss. Bat first. Score big. Use spinners. Defend successfully.India turned in a near-perfect performance in the 4th ODI against South Africa at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai to win by 35 runs and level the series 2-2.

India Beat South Africa By 35 Runs in Must Win Game

Virat Kohli's maiden century against South Africa laid the foundation
 for India's total of 299/8.

Having opted to bat first on what looked like a good batting wicket, India lost their openers in quick succession. Rohit Sharma's innings was cut short when he chipped a ball of his legs straight to short-midwicket while Shikhar Dhawan's horror run took another dive as he top-edged a pull towards Quinton de Kock - the South African keeper diving full length to take the chance and leave India tottering at 35/2.

Earlier, Virat Kohli ended his eight-month long wait to hit top form and slammed a superlative century to give his side a winning total. Kohli slammed 138, while Suresh Raina (53) and Ajinkya Rahane (45) chipped in with important knocks as India set South Africa 300 to win the series. Batting first, India rode on Virat Kohli's 23rd ODI century to put 299/8 on the board. Defending the score, Dhoni's spinners came to the party in the 12th over, and their regular strikes meant that South Africa, despite AB de Villiers' valiant hundred, fell short.

Ajinkya Rahane, who seems to be batting at a new position every match, came in at no. 4 and shared a vital 104-run stand with the vice-captain. Although, not many boundaries were hit, the duo scored freely and ensured India always on the ascendancy. Rahane fell against the run of play in the 26th over when he under-edged Dale Steyn to de Kock five runs away from his deserving-fifty.

Chasing a record 300 to win the series, South Africa made a bright start despite Hashim Amla's early dismissal. Quinton de Kock looked determined to cash in before the spinners were brought on, and he quickly moved to 41 off 30 balls. However, the introduction of Harbhajan Singh and Axar Patel dented the visitors.

Harbhajan accounted for de Kock (43 off 35) in his second over, while Axar had Faf du Plessis caught behind for 17. When David Miller was trapped plumb in front by Harbhajan in the 18th over, South Africa had slipped to 88/4 and desperate for AB de Villiers to wield his magic again. And he did.

He and Farhaan Behardien stitched together a stand of 56, but the going was tough and the asking rate had gone above the 8-run mark. Behardien became Amit Mishra's first scalp when he was out LBW in the 32nd over, and ABD realized he had to do it all if his side were to go through. He went on the attack and slammed five fours off seven balls, including the one to bring up his 48th ODI fifty. He lost Chris Morris at the other end, but the captain continued to fight for his side.