We are just a day away from a three-match ODI series between South Africa and India. After a disheartening loss in the Test series, India would be looking to clinch the ODIs like they managed to do almost four years ago.
But do have any idea about how things fared when the two teams met last time? Well, today we will have a look at the last five meetings between South Africa and India and analyze the results in depth. The matches will go from most recent to older matches.
South Africa vs India (June 5, 2019)
The Rose Bowl in Southampton hosted the 8th match of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup and it was South Africa who won the toss and were batting first.
South Africa managed to put only 227 on the board, the then skipper Faf du Plessis scoring 38, Miller scoring 31, Phehlukwayo scoring 34, Chris Morris scoring 42, and Kagiso Rabada scoring 31.
Yuzvendra Chahal was in tremendous form as he picked 4/51. India had a sluggish start after losing Dhawan early. However, hitman Sharma scored an unbeaten 122, while Kohli scored 18, KL Rahul scored 26, MS Dhoni scored 34, and Hardik Pandya scored 15* as India won the match by six wickets.
India takes the lead. The score is SA 0, IND 1.
South Africa vs India (February 16, 2018)
It was the last of the six ODIs that were scheduled between the two nations, there was no lockdown and cricket was in its full swing. The venue was Centurion and India had opted to bowl after winning the toss.
South Africa were done and dusted for only 204, with Khaya Zondo scoring 54 and Andile Phehlukwayo scoring 34. Shardul Thakur was at his best, picking four wickets in 8.5 overs.
India has a shaky start but thanks to India's then skipper Virat Kohli who scored a fantastic ton (129*) and took India through the line with Ajinkya Rahane contributing as well with his 34.
India maintains their lead. The score is SA 0 IND 2.
3) South Africa vs India (February 13, 2018)
It was Port Elizabeth that hosted the fifth ODI, with the hosts winning the toss this time and electing to bowl. India registered a total of 274, losing 7 wickets in 50 overs.
Rohit Sharma scored an exceptional 115, with 11 fours and four sixes, scoring at a strike rate of 91.27. No one apart from him even scored a 50, but Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer contributed with 34, 36, and 30 respectively.
Lungi Ngidi bowled well, picking four wickets for 51 runs in 9 overs. South Africa had a great start with Hashim Amla and the skipper Aiden Markram in the middle but once they were dismissed, the Proteas batsmen found it hard to fill in and were all out for just 201.
Kuldeep Yadav was India's best bowler and picked four wickets, while Amla scored 71, Markram scored 32, David Miller scored 36, and Heinrich Klaasen scored 39.
India won the match by 73 runs. The score is SA 0 IND 3.
South Africa vs India (February 10, 2018)
In the fourth ODI, India won the toss and opted to bat. India put 289 on the board, with Shikhar Dhawan scoring 109, Kohli scoring 75, and MS Dhoni scoring an unbeaten 42.
The match was then reduced to 28 overs, with South Africa requiring 202. None of the Proteas batsmen played a huge knock but there were contributions from almost everyone.
After some controversial decisions and a dropped catch, South Africa won the match by five wickets. Amla scored 33, Miller scored 39, while Klaasen stayed unbeaten with his 43. However, the unsung hero of the Match was Phehlukwayo who scored 23 of just five balls to win the game for Africa.
South Africa score their only win in the last five encounters, The score is SA 1 IND 3.
South Africa vs India (February 7, 2018)
In the third ODI at Cape Town, the hosts had won the toss and were bowling first. The decision backfired and India registered 303 in 50 overs.
Rohit Sharma was dismissed for a duck and it seemed that India would be under trouble but Dhawan and Kohli were in some mood as they thrashed every bowler that came in their way.
Dhawan scored 76, while Kohli scored an unbeaten 160 but after Dhawan's dismissal, the middle order of India collapsed but thanks to Kohli as India crossed the 300-run mark.
The hosts had a poor start and lost Amla very early. Similar to India's innings, the partnership for the second wicket looked like going far but Kuldeep Yadav struck Markram on 32, thanks to Dhoni’s quick hands.
JP Duminy scored 51 and no other batsmen managed to cross the 25-run mark as the Proteas batting collapsed at just 179. India won the match by 124 runs.
India are way ahead. The score is SA 1 IND 4.
The series had two more ODIs left that India won but as we promised, we analyzed the last five ODI meetings between the two in detail. Not to forget, India produced such a fantastic performance on foreign turf and they'll be eager to do it again, especially after a disappointing Test series.
Stay tuned with Cricwizz for more!