The Proteas have two years to prepare for a World Cup on home soil, but they will do well to remember their humbling defeat in Vizag.
India, determined to protect a record that has seen them unbeaten in both Test and ODI series at home since 1986, delivered their finest performance of the series to secure a commanding nine-wicket victory and seal the series 2-1.
The hosts dominated in all three departments from the moment Arshdeep Singh removed Ryan Rickelton with the fourth ball of the day. Quinton de Kock, who struck his 23rd ODI century, and captain Temba Bavuma (48) attempted a fightback with a 113-run second-wicket partnership, but seam bowler Prasidh Krishna (4/66) and spinner Kuldeep Yadav (4/41) restricted the Proteas to 270 all out.
“It was really hard for me. There were poor balls and good shots. I had to think how to get back. That’s the good thing about cricket, you get another chance. I tried to keep the ball at the stumps and bowl a good length,” said Krishna.
“I wouldn’t blame it on the dew or conditions. As players, we’re expected to face tough challenges. A lot of credit goes to Arsh and Harshit, how they started. That builds pressure. Then Kuldeep picks up wickets; I think we’ve done well as a bowling unit.
“I was under pressure after the last game. The chat was about what to do better. I know the areas to bowl. It’s a matter of keeping it simple and being calm. The batting has always been good. The way they did it was special.”
India’s chase was never in doubt. The opening pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal (123 not out) and Rohit Sharma (75 not out) put the game beyond South Africa with a 155-run stand.
When former captain Sharma was dismissed, caught by Matthew Breetzke off Keshav Maharaj, it allowed the in-form Virat Kohli to guide Jaiswal to his maiden ODI century. Kohli, in his comeback series, added an unbeaten 65, bringing his tournament tally to 294 runs at an average of 147.
“We wanted to make it a lot more exciting. We didn’t have enough runs. It gets easier under lights, should’ve been smarter, save wickets. In the first 10 with the ball we were better, but they had no scoreboard pressure to work with,” said Proteas captain Bavuma.
“Kudos to India’s batters who showed their quality. Guys have looked to take on spinners in the first two; conditions were different today. Never want to get all out in a 50-over game. Couple of starts, QDK got a ton, I lost my way.
“Should’ve been smarter and will learn from the experience. We’ve grown. Got some young players, speak a lot on how we want to play, and we’ve done that. We can only grow. If there were ten boxes, we’ve ticked off six or seven of them.”
