India claimed a decisive series victory against South Africa with a 30 run triumph in the fifth ODI, successfully defending their total of 232 to seal the contest 3-1 after the previous match fell victim to poor weather conditions.
The Proteas needed victory to salvage a series draw following their earlier Test series success, but a dramatic middle-order collapse derailed their promising chase despite Quinton de Kock’s explosive start.
De Kock immediately seized control during the powerplay, punishing Arshdeep Singh with three consecutive boundaries before launching a sustained assault on India’s bowling attack. The left-hander demonstrated ruthless efficiency, combining a six and three fours off Singh to establish early dominance.
Jasprit Bumrah briefly stemmed the flow in the fifth over, conceding just eight runs, but De Kock continued his rampage to reach 47(26) deliveries by the sixth over. South Africa reached 67 without loss after the powerplay, improving on India’s 61-1 at the same stage.
Reeza Hendricks provided steady support despite breaking his bat whilst playing a shot straight into the ground during the second over. However, Varun Chakaravarthy struck in the seventh over when Shivam Dube took a spectacular one-handed catch to dismiss Hendricks for 13.
Dewald Brevis joined De Kock to maintain the aggressive tempo, with both batsmen targeting Chakaravarthy successfully. De Kock launched two boundaries off the spinner in the ninth over, including a six, whilst Brevis contributed his own six and four. South Africa reached 118-1 after 10 overs, seemingly cruising towards their target.
The momentum shifted dramatically when Bumrah returned to claim De Kock’s crucial wicket for 65(35) balls, catching his own delivery in the 11th over. This breakthrough triggered a catastrophic collapse as South Africa lost four wickets for just 17 runs.
Hardik Pandya dismissed Brevis for 31(17) balls when Washington Sundar pouched a catch that initially appeared destined for the boundary. Captain Aiden Markram departed for six after unsuccessfully reviewing an LBW decision, before Donovan Ferreira fell for a duck to leave the Proteas reeling at 135-5.
Chakaravarthy continued his destruction by bowling George Linde for 16, claiming his fourth wicket as South Africa’s lower order crumbled. David Miller’s dismissal for 18 when Sanju Samson held a catch off Arshdeep Singh further damaged their hopes.
Marco Jansen briefly threatened with two sixes off Chakaravarthy before Bumrah removed him for 14, caught behind by Samson. the Proteas finished on 201/8, falling 30 runs short.
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