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| India won the match with 35 runs against South Africa - Virat kohli won the MOM award |
Kohli was characteristically fluent throughout his entire knock, scoring at close to a run-a-ball against a strong South African attack, but the hallmark of the innings was his ability to rotate strike during the middle overs and launch an offensive after notching up his hundred.
Having opted to bat first on what looked like a good batting wicket, the unchanged India lost their openers in quick succession. Rohit Sharma looked set to continue his pristine run of form, but his innings was cut short when he chipped a ball of his legs straight to short-midwicket. Shikhar Dhawan's horror run took another dive as he top-edged a pull towards Quinton de Kock - the South African keeper diving full length to take the chance and leave India tottering at 35/2.
Rahane, who seems to be batting at a new position every match, came in at no. 4 and shared a vital 104-run stand with the vice-captain. Although, not many boundaries were hit, the duo scored freely and ensured India was always on the ascendancy. Rahane fell against the run of play in the 26th over when he under-edged Dale Steyn to de Kock five runs away from his deserving-fifty.
The end of the alliance brought in Suresh Raina, who was batting at his preferred No. 5 position. The return to his usual position saw Raina flourish. The left-hander took on the pacers and helped the home side quickly overcome their third setback. Kohli, meanwhile, had settled into a nice rhythm and rotated the strike well.
He had quietly made his way into the eighties and then unleashed himself on the spinners. He slammed Aaron Phangiso, who was one of the two replacements in the South African side alongside Chris Morris, for a big six to bring up his 23rd ODI hundred. It was his first three-figure knock in the 50-over format since his hundred against Pakistan in the World Cup.
Raina notched up his fifty in the 44th over, but his stay only lasted for four more deliveries. He was out caught for a 52-ball 53. Much to the crowd's delight, MS Dhoni walked out next with the stage perfect for his pyrotechnics. When he slammed his first ball for four, it looked like more fireworks would follow, but India lost Kohli, Harbhajan Singh (0), Dhoni (15) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (0) in quick succession and ended with 299/8 - scoring just the solitary six (Kohli) and no fours in the last five overs.
South African Opening pair gradually increase their run rate to attain the target. In first 9 overs SA were 61/1.
Indian bowlers came back strongly to stop South African attack, but AB De Villiers gave hope to the visitors untill the 45th over.
He has scored 112 from 107 balls and took the game away from Indians at one stage.
AB De Villiers fight his level best with his class century but, Bhuvneshwar Kumar strike at 43rd and 45th over to take 3 wickets to take control of the game.
Indian bowlers bowled well in the death overs to contain South African batsmen. India won the match with 35 runs.
Virat Kohli Won the Man of The Match Award for this match winning class ton against South African's destructive bowling.