South Africa salvage consolation win

The Proteas ended their tour of India on a high with a well deserved victory in the third ODI at Ahmedabad, despite being 0-2 down in the series.

South Africa beat India by 90 runs after inspiring performances from Jaques Kallis and AB de Villiers helped them put on a massive total on the board, batting first.

South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first, hoping to put a big total on the board. The visitors got off to an ideal start with Loots Bosman and Hashim Amla adding 70 runs in the Quick start overs. The duo continued to dominate the bowling before Pathan go the wicket of Bosman with the score on 113. Jaques Kallis joined Amla in the middle and the they kept nudging away to keep the scoreboard ticking for about 17 overs, adding 79 before Amla was picked up by Jadeja in the 33rd over. The Proteas were well on top with eight wickets in hand and a grand finish was in store. AB de Villiers has been their best batsman on this tour and he was in the mood to dictate. The two of them put on 173 runs for the third wicket off just 103 balls, helping South Africa add 122 runs in the Extreme Performance overs and using the Batting Power Play to perfection. They both finished with centuries as South Africa’s put on 365 on the board at the end of their 50 overs.

India’s task was always going to be difficult but losing both their openers, Dinesh Karthik and Murali Vijay inside six overs pushed them onto the backfoot early. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma tried to get them back in the contest with a 95 run stand for the third wicket and there was a glimmer of hope amongst Indian supporters before Botha got rid of Sharma at a crucial stage. Dale Steyn further dented India’s chances with a double blow soon after. He got the wickets of Kohli and MS Dhoni in the same over, which left India tottering on 157 for five. Yusuf Pathan failed to make an impact and even Suresh Raina’s best efforts were not enough. The hosts were eventually bundled out for 275 in the 45th over, well short of the target.

AB de Villiers was adjudged Man of the Match for his unbeaten 102 which came off just 59 balls with a Batting Momentum of 217. This was his second in two games.