MUMBAI, OCT 25: South Africa clinched the one-day cricket series with a 3-2 margin as it thrashed hosts India by 214 runs in a completely lopsided series decider at Wankhede Stadium here today.
Riding on scintillating centuries from Quinton de Kock (109), Faf du Plessis 133 (retired hurt) and AB de Villiers (119) South Africa post a mammoth 438 for four while batting first as India were bundled out for 224 in 36 overs.
The Indian batsmen could not deal with the herculean task of scoring at 8.78 runs an over and down without much fight to leave the capacity crowd thoroughly disappointed with their lacklustre display that came as an anti-climax at the end of a well-fought series.
Out-of-touch opener Shikhar Dhawan made 60 in 59 balls, while Ajinkya Rahane showed how good he was on top of the order while making a quick fire 87 in 58 balls with 3 sixes and 9 fours before falling to Dale Steyn.
Among the other leading batsmen, Rohit Sharma (16) and Suresh Raina (12) got starts before departing while last match centurion Virat Kohli flopped and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was ninth out for 27.
Pace spearhead Dale Steyn took 3 for 38 while youngster Kagiso Rabada returned with figures of 4 for 41. Leg spinner Imran Tahir (2 for 50) and Kyle Abbott (1 for 39) were the other successful bowlers.
The Proteas, thus, clinched the best-of-five series, having won the first (in Kanpur), third (Rajkot) and the decider here while India kept themselves in the hunt with victories in the second (Indore) and fourth (Chennai) games.
