Here are the talking points from Johannesburg 'Pink ODI'
South Africa finally turned on their game in 4th ODI, which also saw the return of AB de Villiers to Proteas squad. The hosts pulled one back avoiding a series defeat, but they still trail 3-1 in 6-match series. The Pink ODI witnessed a spirited South African win, assisted by a sloppy Indian side. Let's look at the major talking points from the match.
Spinners taken for a ride
Indian spinners, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, who shone for the side in the first three ODIs, were left beaten in the Pink ODI. Their bowling figures were ugly, with Chahal conceding 68 runs in 5.3 overs, and Kuldeep 51 in 6 overs, with economy rates of 12.36 and 8.50 respectively. Between them they managed to take just 3 wickets.
Sloppy bowling and fielding
While the rain broke the momentum, the bad fielding and bowling didn't help the Indian cause. No-balls, dropped catches, wides, and misfields only boosted the hosts' efforts. Chahal's no-ball dismissal of David Miller will be a blunder that will haunt him for a long time. Miller made his chances count and went on to play a significant role in his team's win.
Klaasen-Miller partnership
Chasing a rain-shortened target of 202 in 28 overs, the hosts found a solid partnership in David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen after losing the crucial wicket of AB de Villiers. The duo put on a 72-run stand off 43 balls rescuing South Africa from the series loss. Individually, Miller and Klaasen contributed 39 and 43 respectively, with the latter remaining unbeaten.
Rohit Sharma's struggle with form
Rohit Sharma failed to turn up for India yet again, dismissed by Kagiso Rabada yet again. In his four ODI innings so far, Rohit made just 40 runs at an average of 10, his lowest in any series/ tournament since he began opening in 2013.
Dhawan-Kohli partnership a positive
Despite the loss, India can see a positive in Shikhar Dhawan-Virat Kohli's partnership which has been growing strength by strength with each innings. The two, who stitched up partnerships of 34, 93, and 140 in the first three ODIs respectively, forged a 158-run stand for the second wicket in the 4th ODI, with Dhawan bagging a ton.
ABD effect
In spite of a cameo from AB de Villiers where he scored 26 off 18, the South African talisman showed how to have a go at the spinners to his team-mates, who eventually did disintegrate the Indian spinners.
