India concluded their ODI series against South Africa with an emphatic nine-wicket triumph, driven by a masterclass from Yashasvi Jaiswal and an assured innings from Virat Kohli. While supporters arrived hoping to witness Kohli complete his hat-trick of centuries, the situation of the match simply did not allow him enough time at the crease. Yet the veteran batter still delivered a significant batting milestone.
Chasing 271, India controlled proceedings from the outset through a commanding opening partnership of 155 between captain Rohit Sharma and the youthful Jaiswal. The pair alternated aggression and caution with notable maturity, leaving South Africa’s bowlers visibly unsettled. Rohit, in particular, looked set for a century before he was dismissed for 75, miscuing Keshav Maharaj.
With Rohit gone, all eyes turned to Kohli—a man in extraordinary touch in recent weeks. He resumed his fluency immediately, showcasing brilliant footwork, crisp timing, and superb placement. Kohli’s unbeaten 65, struck from only 45 deliveries, included six fours and three sixes. Although he could not push on to a third consecutive century, he broke his own record for most runs in a three-match ODI series, accumulating 302 runs.
However, the day truly belonged to Jaiswal. Playing only his fourth ODI, the left-hander began patiently, requiring 75 balls to compile his first 50. His transformation thereafter was explosive. With growing confidence, he punished loose deliveries, used his feet against spin, and manipulated the field expertly. His century arrived in just 111 balls, an innings studded with intelligent shot selection. His partnership of 116 with Kohli ensured an early finish, as India sealed the chase in under 40 overs.
Earlier in the day, South Africa’s innings never fully gained momentum despite the brilliance of Quinton de Kock, who hammered 106 from 89 balls. De Kock held the innings together almost single-handedly as wickets tumbled around him. India bowled with discipline, using variations cleverly and keeping boundaries to a minimum. Prasidh Krishna emerged as the chief destroyer with four wickets, delivering precisely when breakthroughs were required.
The contrast between the sides was stark: while South Africa depended almost entirely on de Kock, India produced a collective effort anchored by three batters in peak form. The victory also showcased India’s growing depth in white-ball cricket, with emerging talents like Jaiswal seamlessly complementing senior figures like Rohit and Kohli.
The 2-1 series win thus serves as both a statement of India’s ODI stability and a reminder of Kohli’s enduring excellence. Even without achieving his hat-trick of centuries, he once again set a benchmark for consistency and dominance.