SA vs IND 2018: One Of The Best ODI Innings I Have Seen, Says Suresh Raina As He Hails Virat Kohli

Suresh Raina heaped lavish praise on Virat Kohli after the India skipper scored yet another century in the sixth One-Day International against South Africa.  Kohli scored 129 not out as India won the game by 8 wickets to claim the six-match series 5-1.

Kohli came out to bat when Rohit Sharma was dismissed cheaply by Lungi Ngidi in pursuit of 205. The opening batsman, who had scored a century in the fifth ODI, could score only 15. From thereon, it was just a one man show as Kohli took the centre-stage. His partners could not even come close to matching his shots as he scored more than half of the runs needed to win the game.

When Shikhar Dhawan was out for 18, Kohli was already batting on 38 off just 29. Ajinkya Rahane also failed to steal the limelight as Kohli continued tormenting the hosts.

The 29-year old  reached his fifty off just 36 balls while Rahane looked more than happy to play the second fiddle. Shots kept on coming every now and then as Kohli went on to score his 35th ODI century in just 82 balls. It was also Kohli’s third century in the series. The win was a mere formality from there on and the tourists eventually reached the target in the 33rd over.

Kohli remained unbeaten on 129 off just 96 balls. The knock was studded with 19 fours and a couple of sixes.

And as soon as Kohli hit the winning runs, Raina took to Twitter to hail him.

“One of the best ODI innings I have seen in the recent past. Congratulations, @imVkohli! Excellent work by #TeamIndia to win an ODI series for the first time in South Africa. Way to go, boys✌✌ #SAvIND ??”

One of the best ODI innings I have seen in the recent past. Congratulations, @imVkohli! Excellent work by #TeamIndia to win an ODI series for the first time in South Africa. Way to go, boys✌️✌️ #SAvIND ?? pic.twitter.com/IjAlV2YpHp

— Suresh Raina?? (@ImRaina) February 16, 2018

South Africa falter with bat again:

Earlier in the day, the hosts failed to deliver with the bat in the series once again. Openers Hashim Amla and Aiden Markram were back in the hut with only 43 runs on the board.

AB de Villiers and Khaya Zondo then steadied the ship with a good partnership. But before they could lay the platform for a good total, Yuzvendra Chahal broke the 62-run stand by castling de Villiers.

De Villiers’ dismissal derailed the hosts’ innings as they kept on losing wickets at regular intervals. Zondo (54) was holding firm from one end but lack of support from the other did not let the hosts challenge the tourists. Heinrich Klaasen (22), Farhaan Behardien (1) and Chris Morris failed to contribute much as India kept the hosts under check throughout the innings. The Proteas were eventually all out for 204.