India defeated South Africa by 35 runs in the fourth One-day International (ODI) to level the five-match cricket series at 2-2 in Chennai on Thursday. Virat Kohli smashed a scintillating ton to help India post a competitive 299 for 8.
Coming in at the fall of Rohit Sharma, Kohli was a part of a couple of crucial 100-plus partnerships with Ajinkya Rahane and Suresh Raina to help the hosts produce a total of 299/8 in 50 overs. Kohli scored 138 off 140 balls before falling to Kasigo Rabada.
Kohli shared a 104—run partnership for the third wicket with Ajinkya Rahane (45) in 18.2 overs and then added 127 runs in 18.4 with Suresh Raina (53) for the fourth wicket to catapult India to a fighting total in their stipulated 50 overs.
It was the 23rd ODI century for Kohli who reached three figures with a six over long on off young pacer Aaron Phansigo.
In reply, South Africa could only manage to score 264/9 despite a defiant century from A.B. Devilliers who scored 112 from 107 deliveries.
The Indian bowlers produced a disciplined performance and managed to restrict the scoring rates despite taking some stick in the initial overs. Pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar leaked runs in his first spell but came back strongly later on to return figures of 3/68.
Experienced off-spinner Harbhajan Singh (2/50), left-arm spinner Axar Patel (1/40), pacer Mohit Sharma (1/48) and leg-spinner Amit Mishra (1/55) also bowled well.
Electing to bat on winning the toss, India produced a strong batting performance despite losing a couple of early wickets.
Apart from Kohli, Raina and Rahane were also in good knick. Raina, who has not been at his best so far in this series, finally brought his poor run to an end, scoring 53 runs off 52 deliveries with three boundaries and a six.
Rahane, who was caught behind off Dale Steyn while on 45, was unlucky to miss out on what would have been a well-deserved half-century.
The South African fast bowlers continued their fine show with rookie pacer Rabada and Steyn picking up three wickets each.
