South Africa claimed their first ever ODI series on Indian soil with a crushing 214-run victory in the fifth and final ODI in Mumbai. Three centuries - From AB de Villiers, Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis - blew away India as they suffered their biggest loss at home.
But taken altogether, the series was an up and down one, with both teams playing some mediocre cricket. Here are Firstpost's takeaways about the South African team from the ODI series.
South Africa's fast bowlers were the difference in the series:
When it comes to Indian pitches, everyone knows spinners rule the roost. But before the start of the tour, South Africa coach Russell Domingo had banked on his fast bowlers to deliver the goods. "Our fast bowlers have done the business for us and I expect them to play a big part in these conditions," he said.
And South Africa’s pace attack lived up to expectations and ended up being the difference between the two sides.
File picture of AB de Villiers. AFPFile picture of AB de Villiers. AFP
They completely outbowled their India counterparts, and even the India spinners. The top three wicket-takers for the series were Kagiso Rabada (10), Dale Steyn (10) and Morne Morkel (7). Overall, the pacers took 30 of the 38 wickets to fall across five matches at an average of 28.56, an economy rate of 5.35 and a strike-rate of 32.
Meanwhile India’s fast bowlers took just 15 wickets at an average of 50.86, an economy rate of 7.06 and a strike-rate of 43.2. India’s spinners took 17 wickets at an average of 42.70, an economy rate of 5.35 and strike-rate of 47.8.
South Africa’s pacers were especially good in the death overs. They now have confidence and momentum on their side and with Dale Steyn getting back some form, these are ominous signs for India in the Test series.
Kagiso Rabada is the find of the series
Before the start of the ODI series, all eyes were on Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel as they returned to the side after being rested for the T20I series. But it was 20-year-old Kagiso Rabada who stole the show with his raw pace.
Rabada had played just five ODIs before this series but he showed great maturity and also showed some fight with the bat. The hallmark of his bowling was his performance over the final overs of matches, where his figures read 8-0-45-5. While Steyn wasn’t at his best and with Morkel missing the last two games, it was Rabada who carried the bowling.
On a turning track in Chennai, he ended up with the best bowling for South Africa, taking 3 for 54 from 10 overs. He then showed the India pacers how it's done at the Wankhede as he made good use of the bounce to take 4 for 41. He ended as joint-highest wicket-taker with 10 wickets at an average of 24.10 and economy rate of 5.12.
He stuck to his plan of bowling short against India and succeeded with his raw pace. The highlight of his series was when he defended 11 runs in the last over against MS Dhoni in the first ODI - a moment he really enjoyed.
"Rabada is another one that is knocking on the door of greatness in future,” De Villiers said after the fifth ODI. “He knows he has got hard work ahead and lot of battles to go through, a lot of form changes. There is a lot of talent there, a great mind on his shoulders and easy to work with. It's an absolute pleasure to be a captain to a guy like that who knows what he wants, pretty clear with his decision making and he wants to be there.”
South Africa's chasing problems continue:
South Africa may have won the series but that doesn't mask their chasing problems. For only the second time in history in a five-match series, the side batting first won every game.
Over the last two years, South Africa have joint-worst Win/Loss ratio along with West Indies among the top eight nations while chasing. Since January 2013, they have lost 16 and won 11 of the 27 matches chasing, giving them W/L ratio of 0.687. The have successfully chased down a total over 250 just twice in that period. In the second ODI against India, they failed to chase a below par total of 248 in Indore and in the fourth, fell 35 runs short of the 299 India posted.
Had India won the toss in Mumbai, they might well have won the series. This is one area where South Africa need to improve drastically.
AB de Villiers transcends cricketing boundaries
AB de Villiers may have scored the most runs, had the highest average and the highest strike-rate in the series but he is also one of the most loved cricketers in the world. He got standing ovations when he arrived at the crease and when he departed. The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is know for it's hostility towards opposing players but even they appreciated the genius of De Villiers as they chanted "ABD....ABD....ABD" throughout his stay at the crease as if he was an India player.
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Du Plessis' exceptional control allowed me and De Kock to play freely, says De Villiers
Du Plessis' exceptional control allowed me and De Kock to play freely, says De Villiers
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The turning point was the breakthrough of the partnerships upfront: De Villiers
2nd ODI preview: Without Ashwin, India need to conjure something special against South Africa
2nd ODI preview: Without Ashwin, India need to conjure something special against South Africa
"Many years ago I saw Indian crowds greet Brian Lara with great joy,” Harsha Bhogle wrote on his Facebook wall. “Then Shane Warne came to India and he was a huge hit too. But I am struggling to recall another cricketer who has received the kind of ovation that AB de Villiers has. I was hosting the telecast in Dharamshala at the start of the tour when he walked out to warm up and the noise was something else. In Mumbai, the crowds were chanting "ABD, ABD". I must imagine it is incredibly moving to be so recognised and loved in another land."
With the bat, De Villiers showed why he is one of the best in the world. He may have hit a century off 57 balls in Mumbai but his best knock of the series was hi 112 on a Chennai track where the ball was turning square and the other batsmen looked like rabbits in headlights.
De Villiers now has the most tons by an overseas batsman in India - 7 - and the most against India in India - 5. He also the feather in his cap of being the first South Africa captain to beat India in India. The home side will have to think long and hard to figure out a way to stop him in the Test series.
But taken altogether, the series was an up and down one, with both teams playing some mediocre cricket. Here are Firstpost's takeaways about the South African team from the ODI series.
South Africa's fast bowlers were the difference in the series:
When it comes to Indian pitches, everyone knows spinners rule the roost. But before the start of the tour, South Africa coach Russell Domingo had banked on his fast bowlers to deliver the goods. "Our fast bowlers have done the business for us and I expect them to play a big part in these conditions," he said.
And South Africa’s pace attack lived up to expectations and ended up being the difference between the two sides.
File picture of AB de Villiers. AFPFile picture of AB de Villiers. AFP
They completely outbowled their India counterparts, and even the India spinners. The top three wicket-takers for the series were Kagiso Rabada (10), Dale Steyn (10) and Morne Morkel (7). Overall, the pacers took 30 of the 38 wickets to fall across five matches at an average of 28.56, an economy rate of 5.35 and a strike-rate of 32.
Meanwhile India’s fast bowlers took just 15 wickets at an average of 50.86, an economy rate of 7.06 and a strike-rate of 43.2. India’s spinners took 17 wickets at an average of 42.70, an economy rate of 5.35 and strike-rate of 47.8.
South Africa’s pacers were especially good in the death overs. They now have confidence and momentum on their side and with Dale Steyn getting back some form, these are ominous signs for India in the Test series.
Kagiso Rabada is the find of the series
Before the start of the ODI series, all eyes were on Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel as they returned to the side after being rested for the T20I series. But it was 20-year-old Kagiso Rabada who stole the show with his raw pace.
Rabada had played just five ODIs before this series but he showed great maturity and also showed some fight with the bat. The hallmark of his bowling was his performance over the final overs of matches, where his figures read 8-0-45-5. While Steyn wasn’t at his best and with Morkel missing the last two games, it was Rabada who carried the bowling.On a turning track in Chennai, he ended up with the best bowling for South Africa, taking 3 for 54 from 10 overs. He then showed the India pacers how it's done at the Wankhede as he made good use of the bounce to take 4 for 41. He ended as joint-highest wicket-taker with 10 wickets at an average of 24.10 and economy rate of 5.12.
He stuck to his plan of bowling short against India and succeeded with his raw pace. The highlight of his series was when he defended 11 runs in the last over against MS Dhoni in the first ODI - a moment he really enjoyed.
"Rabada is another one that is knocking on the door of greatness in future,” De Villiers said after the fifth ODI. “He knows he has got hard work ahead and lot of battles to go through, a lot of form changes. There is a lot of talent there, a great mind on his shoulders and easy to work with. It's an absolute pleasure to be a captain to a guy like that who knows what he wants, pretty clear with his decision making and he wants to be there.”
South Africa's chasing problems continue:
South Africa may have won the series but that doesn't mask their chasing problems. For only the second time in history in a five-match series, the side batting first won every game.
Over the last two years, South Africa have joint-worst Win/Loss ratio along with West Indies among the top eight nations while chasing. Since January 2013, they have lost 16 and won 11 of the 27 matches chasing, giving them W/L ratio of 0.687. The have successfully chased down a total over 250 just twice in that period. In the second ODI against India, they failed to chase a below par total of 248 in Indore and in the fourth, fell 35 runs short of the 299 India posted.
Had India won the toss in Mumbai, they might well have won the series. This is one area where South Africa need to improve drastically.
AB de Villiers transcends cricketing boundaries
AB de Villiers may have scored the most runs, had the highest average and the highest strike-rate in the series but he is also one of the most loved cricketers in the world. He got standing ovations when he arrived at the crease and when he departed. The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is know for it's hostility towards opposing players but even they appreciated the genius of De Villiers as they chanted "ABD....ABD....ABD" throughout his stay at the crease as if he was an India player.
ALSO SEE
Du Plessis' exceptional control allowed me and De Kock to play freely, says De Villiers
Du Plessis' exceptional control allowed me and De Kock to play freely, says De Villiers
The turning point was the breakthrough of the partnerships upfront: De Villiers
The turning point was the breakthrough of the partnerships upfront: De Villiers
2nd ODI preview: Without Ashwin, India need to conjure something special against South Africa
2nd ODI preview: Without Ashwin, India need to conjure something special against South Africa
"Many years ago I saw Indian crowds greet Brian Lara with great joy,” Harsha Bhogle wrote on his Facebook wall. “Then Shane Warne came to India and he was a huge hit too. But I am struggling to recall another cricketer who has received the kind of ovation that AB de Villiers has. I was hosting the telecast in Dharamshala at the start of the tour when he walked out to warm up and the noise was something else. In Mumbai, the crowds were chanting "ABD, ABD". I must imagine it is incredibly moving to be so recognised and loved in another land."
With the bat, De Villiers showed why he is one of the best in the world. He may have hit a century off 57 balls in Mumbai but his best knock of the series was hi 112 on a Chennai track where the ball was turning square and the other batsmen looked like rabbits in headlights.De Villiers now has the most tons by an overseas batsman in India - 7 - and the most against India in India - 5. He also the feather in his cap of being the first South Africa captain to beat India in India. The home side will have to think long and hard to figure out a way to stop him in the Test series.
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