- City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
- Dubai 04:17 05:37 12:18 15:44 18:55 20:15
Quinton de Kock hit 103 and Morne Morkel claimed four for 39 as South Africa brushed aside India by 18 runs in the third one-day international in Rajkot on Sunday.
De Kock, the 22-year-old left-handed opener, took advantage of a flat pitch to notch up his seventh one-day century - the fourth against India - that lifted the Proteas to 270-7.
India were restricted to 252-6 in reply, despite half-centuries from Rohit Sharma (65) and Virat Kohli, who returned to form with 77, his first substantial knock after 12 barren one-dayers.
The win handed the tourists a 2-1 lead in the five-match series with the last two games to be played in Chennai (October 22) and Mumbai (October 25).
South Africa had won the opening game in Kanpur by five runs and India drew level at Indore with a 22-run victory.
Morkel was supported by spirited fielding by his team-mates in hot and humid weather which tied down the free-stroking Indian batsmen.
Sharma, who hit 150 in a losing cause in the first match in Kanpur, shared a 72-run stand for the second wicket with Kohli after Shikhar Dhawan had fallen for 13.
Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni then put on 80 for the third wicket with Kohli before he was removed by Morkel for 47 with his team still needing 78 off 49 deliveries.
Morkel sealed India's fate by dismissing Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane off successive deliveries in the 46th over, both batsmen being caught at deep mid-wicket by David Miller.
Suresh Raina fell for a second successive zero, holing out in the deep against leg-spinner Imran Tahir.
South African captain AB de Villiers lauded his batsmen, especially de Kock, for the team's victory.
"It was a very special batting performance," he said. "Quinton answered a lot of questions on how valuable he is to the side.
"We were looking at 250 to be a par score, but we managed more than that. And the way we fought back with the ball was special."
Dhoni said the target of 270 was gettable even on a pitch that became two-paced as the match went on.
"South Africa batted when the wicket was at its best," he said. "When our turn came, the wicket kept getting lower and slower and it became difficult to play the big shots.
"Also there was not much dew in the evening, which made it easier for the South African bowlers. There are still two more games to go and we will look to bounce back."
Earlier, Faf du Plessis (60) shared a third-wicket stand of 118 with de Kock to lift the tourists to 205-2 in the 39th over when India hit back with three quick wickets to make it 210-5 in the 41st.
Du Plessis, who was caught off a Mohit Sharma no-ball when on 16, was dismissed by the same bowler to a catch at third-man, triggering the slide.
De Kock was run out in the 40th over after a misunderstanding with de Villiers, who was himself given leg-before in left-arm spinner Axar Patel's next over.
Farhaan Behardien smashed a last-ball six off Bhuvneshwar Kumar to return unbeaten on 33.
The one-day series will be followed by four Test matches.
Scoreboard:
South Africa:
Q. de Kock run out 103
D. Miller c Rahane b Harbhajan 33
H. Amla st Dhoni b Mishra 5
F. du Plessis c Kumar b M. Sharma 60
AB de Villiers lbw b Patel 4
JP Duminy c Raina b M. Sharma 14
F. Behardien not out 33
D. Steyn run out 12
K. Rabada not out 0
Extras: (w5, nb1) 6
Total (for seven wickets, 50 overs) 270
Fall of wickets: 1-72 (Miller), 2-87 (Amla), 3-205 (du Plessis), 4-210 (de Kock), 5-210 (de Villiers), 6-241 (Duminy), 7-264 (Steyn)
Bowling: Kumar 10-1-65-0 (w2), M. Sharma 9-0-62-2 (nb1, w2), Harbhajan 10-0-41-1 (w1), Mishra 10-0-38-1, Patel 9-0-51-1, Raina 2-0-13-0.
South Africa:
Q. de Kock run out 103
D. Miller c Rahane b Harbhajan 33
H. Amla st Dhoni b Mishra 5
F. du Plessis c Kumar b M. Sharma 60
AB de Villiers lbw b Patel 4
JP Duminy c Raina b M. Sharma 14
F. Behardien not out 33
D. Steyn run out 12
K. Rabada not out 0
Extras: (w5, nb1) 6
Total (for seven wickets, 50 overs) 270
Fall of wickets: 1-72 (Miller), 2-87 (Amla), 3-205 (du Plessis), 4-210 (de Kock), 5-210 (de Villiers), 6-241 (Duminy), 7-264 (Steyn)
Bowling: Kumar 10-1-65-0 (w2), M. Sharma 9-0-62-2 (nb1, w2), Harbhajan 10-0-41-1 (w1), Mishra 10-0-38-1, Patel 9-0-51-1, Raina 2-0-13-0
South Africa won by 18 runs; leads five-match series 2-1.
Toss: South Africa
Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK) and Chettithody Shamshuddin (IND)
TV umpire: CK Nandan (IND)
Match referee: Chris Broad (ENG)
India innings
South Africa lead the five-match ODi series 2-1 after clawing back to beat India by 18 runs at Rajkot on Sunday.
Batting first South Africa made 270-7 riding on a superb century from opener Quinton de Kock (103) who shared in a 118-run stand for the third wicket with Faf du Plessis (60).
South Africa looked on course for a total of 300 but for a collapse which saw them lose three wickets for nine runs to slump fo 210-5 by the 41st over.
Rohit Sharma stroked a fluent 65 off 74 balls with seven boundaries and a six to put on course.
Kohli who came in at his familar No. 3 put India in firm control during his knock of 77 off 99 balls sharing in partnerships of 72 with Sharma and 80 with Dhoni (47).
Dhoni's dismissal in the 42nd over triggered a collapse with Raina committing hara kiri while Morkel claimed Kohli and Rahane in successive balls in the 44th over to finish with four for 39 to virtually seal victory for the Proteas.
Patel hammers a six off the last ball from Steyn but South Africa win by 18 runs as India finish on 252-6 chasing a target of 271.
It's advantage Proteas as India need 38 off 12 balls with Harbhajan and Patel in the middle. Ind 233-6, 48 overs.
Harbhajan smashes a full toss from Tahir for a boundary but India need 45 off 18 balls. Ind 226-6, 47 overs.
Morkel completes his spell with a haul of four for 39. Ind 220-6, 46 overs.
WICKET! Morkel is on a hat-trick as Rahane falls with Miller taking his third catch. Ind 216-6, 45.2 overs.
Ajinkya Rahane c Miller b Morkel 4 (7b)
WICKET! Kohli has gone succumbing to the trap laid by Morkel who bangs one in and the attempted big hit finds the fielder at long on. Ind 216-5, 45.1 overs.
Virat Kohli c Miller b Morkel 77 (99b 5x4)
India need 55 off 30 balls with Kohli and Rahane batting. Ind 216-4, 45 overs.
WICKET! Miller takes a superb catch on the long off boundary as Raina fails attempting to hit Tahir out of the ground. Ind 206-4, 43.3 overs.
Suresh Raina c Miller b Imran Tahir 0 (2b)
Kohli has picked up another boundary with a reverse sweep off Tahir.
Kohli survives being run out with a diving effort before pummelling Steyn through the offside for a boundary. Ind 201-3, 43 overs.
WICKET! Dhoni hammers a boundary off Morkel and is out next ball spooning a catch to Steyn after adding 80 with Kohli. Ind 193-3, 41.5 overs.
MS Dhoni c Steyn b Morkel 47 (61b 5x4)
Dhoni punches Duminy through the covers for India's first boundary after eight overs and survives after offering a hard return catch. Ind 185-2, 40 overs.
India need 100 off 78 balls with the boundaries having dried or is it the calm before the storm. Ind 171-2, 37 overs.
Kohli completes his 34th ODI fifty and fourth against South Africa which comes after 12 innings and came off 64 balls containing just three boundaries. Ind 159-2, 34 overs.
Kohli caresses Morkel down the ground for a boundary. Ind 148-2, 30 overs.
Steyn strays down the leg side and Dhoni glances to the fine leg fence. Ind 137-2, 27 overs.
FOUR! Dhoni picks up his first boundary by jabbing Steyn through point. Ind 124-2, 25 overs.
Dhoni has come at No.4 with India need a run a ball. Ind 117-2, 24 overs.
WICKET! Duminy gets the big wicket of Rohit latching onto a return catch. Ind 113-2, 23.1 overs.
Rohit Sharma c & b Duminy 65 (74b 7x4 2x6)
Rohit reaches his 27th ODI fifty in style by lofting Tahir for a towering straight six. Ind 99-1, 21 overs.
The 50-run partnership between Sharma and Kohli comes off just 56 balls. Ind 91-1, 20 overs.
Tahir comes into the attack and Sharma smashes a full toss to the midwicket fence. Ind 81-1, 17 overs.
Kohli sweeps Duminy to the fine leg fence for another boundary. Ind 75-1, 16 overs.
Kohli gets his first boundary drilling Duminy through the offside. Ind 64-1, 14 overs.
Rohit has stepped out driven Steyn majestically over long-off for a six. Ind 57-1, 13 overs.
Kohli comes in at No.3 with Rahane dropping down after hitting two half centuries.
WICKET! Morkel strikes as Dhawan gets a thick outside edge with AB de Villiers taking a superb catch. Ind 41-1, 10.4 overs.
Shikhar Dhawan c de Villiers b Morkel 13 (29b 2x4)
India have made a steady despite having some scares to each 40 without loss after 10 overs.|
Duminy comes into the attack and Rohit gets a life on 20 sweeping a short ball which Morkel at backward square leg fails to grasp. Ind 35-0, 8 overs.
FOUR! Dhawan cracks two consecutive boundaries off Rabada to get into his stride. Ind 26-0, 6 overs.
Sharma is in sublime touch flicking Rabada to the midwicket fence with a deft punch. Ind 15-0, 4 overs.
FOUR! Rohit crunches another one from Steyn through point for a boundary. Ind 11-0, 3 overs.
Rohit opens India's account as they begin chasing 271 by cracking Steyn through the gap at point. Ind 4-0, 1 over.
South Africa innings
Quinton de Kock hit 103 as South Africa made 270-7 after electing to bat in the third one-day international against India in Rajkot on Sunday.
The 22-year-old opener-wicketkeeper took advantage of a flat pitch to notch up his seventh one-day century - the fourth against India - with the help of 11 boundaries and a six.
The five-match series is locked 1-1 after South Africa won the opening game in Kanpur by five runs and India drew level at Indore with a 22-run victory.
Faf du Plessis (60) shared a third-wicket stand of 118 with de Kock to lift the tourists to 205-2 in the 39th over when India hit back with three quick wickets to make it 210-5 in the 41st.
Du Plessis, who was caught off a Mohit Sharma no-ball when on 16, was dismissed by the same bowler to a catch at third-man, triggering the slide.
De Kock was run out in the 40th over after a misunderstanding with his skipper AB de Villiers, who was himself given leg-before in left-arm spinner Axar Patel's next over.
Farhaan Behardien smashed a last-ball six off Bhuvneshwar Kumar to return unbeaten on 33.
David Miller, promoted to open the innings with de Kock, scored 33 in a first-wicket partnership of 72 to give the Proteas a sound start, but the Indians kept the run-rate under check.
The Proteas retained the same team for the third successive match, while India brought in leg-spinner Amit Mishra in place of fast bowler Umesh Yadav.
Scoreboard:
South Africa:
Q. de Kock run out 103
D. Miller c Rahane b Harbhajan 33
H. Amla st Dhoni b Mishra 5
F. du Plessis c Kumar b M. Sharma 60
AB de Villiers lbw b Patel 4
JP Duminy c Raina b M. Sharma 14
F. Behardien not out 33
D. Steyn run out 12
K. Rabada not out 0
Extras: (w5, nb1) 6
Total (for seven wickets, 50 overs) 270
Fall of wickets: 1-72 (Miller), 2-87 (Amla), 3-205 (du Plessis), 4-210 (de Kock), 5-210 (de Villiers), 6-241 (Duminy), 7-264 (Steyn)
Bowling: Kumar 10-1-65-0 (w2), M. Sharma 9-0-62-2 (nb1, w2), Harbhajan 10-0-41-1 (w1), Mishra 10-0-38-1, Patel 9-0-51-1, Raina 2-0-13-0
Toss: South Africa
Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK) and Chettithody Shamshuddin (IND)
TV umpire: CK Nandan (IND)
Match referee: Chris Broad (ENG)
South Africa were restricted to 270-7 after opting to bat first despite a brilliant century by Quinton de Kock (103) in the third ODI against India.
Faf du Plessis (60) shared an enterprising 118-run stand for the third wicket with de Kock before suffering a middle order collapse losing three wickets in nine balls.
India bowled superbly in the death overs conceding just 60 runs in the last 10.
Steyn is run out as he goes back for a second while Behardien smashes a last-ball six off Kumar as South Africa finish on 270-7.
WICKET! Dale Steyn run out 12 (9b 1x6)
Steyn clubs a slower ball from Mohit straight back over the bowler's head for a massive six. SA 258-6m 49 overs.
WICKET! India are on top as Duminy depart trying to hit Mohit out of the ground. SA 241-6, 46 overs.
JP Duminy c Raina b Mohit Sharma 14 (14b 1x4)
Duminy gets his first boundary with a reverse sweep off Patel. SA 226-5, 43 overs.
WICKET! Patel has struck a crucial blow getting the big wicket of AB de Villiers who attempts to cut only to be trapped leg before as South Africa lose their third wicket in nine balls. SA 210-5, 40.1 overs.
AB de Villiers lbw b Patel 4 (5b 1x4)
AB de Villiers opens his account by cracking Harbhajan through the covers while de Kock succums to fatigue responding to a single late and falling short. SA 210-4, 40 overs.
Quinton de Kock run out 103 (118b 11x4 1x6)
WICKET! Faf du Plessis throws it away after attempting another scoop shot which goes wrong with Kumar running back to take a good catch. SA 205-3, 38.5 overs.
Faf du Plessis c Kumar b Mohit Sharma 60 (63b 6x4)
CENTURY! Quinton de Kock cracks Mohit through the covers for his 11th boundary to complete his seventh ODI century off 114 balls.
Faf du Plessis slams a couple of boundaries off Kumar to complete his 19th ODI fifty off 52 balls. SA 181-2, 34 overs.
FOUR! Faf cracks two boundaries off Patel as South Africa get a move on. SA 164-2, 31 overs.
Quinton slashes Mohit over the infield for a boundary to bring up the 50 partnership with Faf off 75 balls. SA 139-2, 28 overs.
Another eventful over for Faf du Plessis who smashes Patel to long-on for a boundary and gets another reprieve after Raina fails to time his jump after the balloons overs over his head. SA 131-2, 27 overs.
Faf du Plessis survives after being undone by a slower delivery bowled by Mohit only to find the bowler had overstepped. SA 123-2, 26 overs.
FOUR! Patel comes into the attack and southpaw de Kock drills him through the offside for another boundary. SA 111-2, 23 overs.
Quinton breaks the shackles by whipping Harbhajan inside out over extra cover for a boundary. SA 104-2, 22 overs.
Quinton de Kock completes his sixth ODI half century off 60 balls marking his return to form. SA 98-2, 21 overs.
WICKET! Mishra strikes beating Amla in flight and Dhoni does the rest. SA 87-2, 18.4 overs.
Hashim Amla st Dhoni b Mishra 5 (15b)
Amla has come in at the fall of the first wicket as normal service resumes for South Africa.
WICKET! Harbhajan draws first blood as Rahane takes a superb catch at short third man to send Miller back. SA 72-1, 13.3 overs.
David Miller c Rahane b Harbhajan Singh 33 (41b 4x4)
Mishra comes into the attack and de Kock rocks back to cut him for a boundary. SA 64-0, 11 overs.
South Africa are off to a flying start with left handers Miller and de Kock having made 59-0 after 10 overs.
FOUR! Quinton cracks two consecutive boundaries off Kumar down the ground. SA 54-0, 9 overs.
de Kock punches Kumar through the covers for another boundary. SA 39-0, 7 overs.
FOUR! Miller flicks Mohit square on the leg side for a delightful boundary. SA 34-0, 5 overs.
Quinton de Kock slams the first six of the match off Kumar with a pick-up shot over backward square leg. SA 30-0, 5 overs.
FOUR! Miller hits his first boundary slamming Kumar through the covers in the fifth over.
De Kock hits the first boundary of the match slapping Mohit through the offside.
Kumar opens with a maiden to de Kock cramping him up for room.
Amla has been held back as David Miller opens with Quinton de Kock.
AB de Villiers has won the toss and South Africa will bat first.
India have made one change with Mishra coming in for Yadav while South Africa are unchanged.
Playing XI
India: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harbhajan Singh, Mohit Sharma, Amit Mishra
South Africa: Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis, JP Duminy, AB de Villiers, David Miller, Farhaan Behardien, Dale Steyn, K Rabada, Imran Tahir, Morne Morkel
Preview
Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni will aim to drive home the advantage after returning to winning ways against South Africa in the third ODI series at Rajkot on Sunday.
Dhoni hammered 92 not out and skilfully marshalled his bowlers to secure a series-levelling 22-run win against South Africa in the second one-day international on Wednesday.
South African batsman Faf du Plessis conceded his team allowed India to regain the momentum during the Indore ODI.
“That’s the most disappointing thing from team perspective. We had India on the ropes - 2-0 in the T20s and 1-0 in the one-dayers. We got nice momentum behind us, but now we have given them a sniff,” Du Plessis said on the eve of the match.
“One-all in the series and they will be confident again winning. But in saying that I don’t think both teams have played their best cricket. We have both been firing at around 80 per cent. I think both teams would be inclined to play some better cricket.”
Du Plessis said his team allowed Dhoni to rescue the hosts out of a precarious position and an opportunity lost to go 2-0 up in the ODI series.
“I think we played well into MS’s hands. He had time to bat. He could just knock the ball around and be there at the end on 60 and he could then play an open, aggressive game. We made an error there to make it easy for him,” said du Plessis.
Dhoni smashed 92 off just 86 balls and batted with the lower order to rally his team from 124 for 6 to a fighting total of 247 which his bowlers and fielders did well to defend.
“There was quite a bit of pressure on him. He was biding his time with six wickets down. If you give a good player like that an opportunity to get into his tempo he will make use of it. MS is a very good hitter and when he’s on 50 it’s very difficult to bowl to him,” added du Plessis.
The South African player said even after that his side had a great chance at 130 for 2 but neither he nor J P Duminy batted through to take the team home.
“Then we were in a great position at 130 for 2 with myself and JP batting, and one of us should have been there to win the game. It was disappointing that we had lots of starts but could not get the team across the line.”
What was impressive about the win was the way the bowlers defended a target of 248.
“The spinners and pacers are complementing each other really well. In the last match, the spinners struck well at the start and the medium pacers finished things off towards the end. As a team you get a lot of confidence if the spinners get you wickets when the medium pacers fail to do so and vice versa. All bowlers need to support each other,” said Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
He picked up three wickets at crucial junctures of the game in the second ODI.
However, the batsmen have yet to fire apart from Rohit Sharman and Ajinkya Rahane who has struck two half centuries in a row since coming in at No. 3.
Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina have yet to strike form while Virat Kohli last hit a half century on February 15 during India's World Cup opener.
With Ashwin expected to be sidelined again, Harbhajan Singh can expect to play alongside left-arm spinner Axar Patel who claimed career-best figures of 3-39 in the last match.
Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
