South Africa vs India 2018, 3rd ODI: Hits and Misses

The third ODI of the six-match series between South Africa and India just emboldened the question marks that had surrounded the hosts through the first two games: their inability to tackle wrist-spin, their powerlessness against Virat Kohli's willow and the gaping holes left in their batting line-up by the absence of some superstars.

The only thing that went right for Aiden Markram on the day was the toss. After the coin took his side, the stand-in skipper chose to field first. However, there wasn't much he could do as his bowling attack was rendered useless against the mastery of the Indian skipper, who remained unbeaten through the innings to power India to a massive total of 303/6 at the end of 50 overs.

The South African batting unit just capitulated to the pressure in the second innings and could do nothing but put up a meek fight before falling to the brilliance of India's wrist-spinners.

Here are the hits and misses from India's emphatic 124-run victory in Cape Town:

#1 Hit: JP Duminy

JP Duminy probably is the only South African player who can keep his head high after the defeat at Cape Town.

He played like a true all-rounder on the day and contributed with both the willow as well as the cherry. While his effort didn't even come close to taking South Africa over the line, it is still worth a mention and a couple of plaudits.

He scalped two important wickets with the ball in the first innings of the game, when the seam bowlers were unable to break the partnership between Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli. Duminy stepped up to send the Indian opener back to the pavilion, and then followed that up with the dismissal of Ajinkya Rahane almost immediately thereafter.

Coming in to bat at Number 3. he also scored an impressive half-century against a quality Indian attack. He made 51 off 67 deliveries before he was caught LBW by Yuzvendra Chahal in the 22nd over of the innings.

#4 Miss: Hashim Amla

The absence of marquee players like AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, and Quinton de Kock has adversely affected South Africa's performance in this series. In their absence, it is important for an experienced customer like Hashim Amla to step up to the challenge.

However, the right-handed batsman could not make even a slight impact on the proceedings of this particular match. His stay at the crease lasted for a span of just two balls from Jasprit Bumrah, the second of which scalped the wicket of the 34-year-old.

He contributed just one run to South Africa's feeble attempt at equalling the Indian total.

#3 Hit: Shikhar Dhawan

Right from the first ODI, where he was unfortunate to be run out for 35, Shikhar Dhawan has made a statement for himself by with some splendid innings at the top of the order. He has built two back-to-back half-century partnerships with Virat Kohli and has been vital to India's batting success in the series so far.

In Cape Town, the 32-year-old scored 76 blistering runs off just 63 deliveries. He missed out on a well-deserved century after being dismissed by Duminy in the 24th over of the innings, but played a substantive role in India's victory on the day nonetheless.

#2 Miss: Rohit Sharma

This is the third consecutive time that the right-handed batsman has featured as a 'miss' in this set of articles. It is extremely unusual for an ODI giant like Rohit Sharma to fail miserably in three back-to-back ODI matches, but his dismal record in South Africa tells another story.

With every innings he plays in the Rainbow Nation, the opening batsman's average is taking a hit for the worse. His form seems to be on an unstoppable downward spiral, as he continues to struggle and sulk on the tour.

The 30-year-old was dismissed for a duck on the sixth delivery that he faced off Kagiso Rabada. He has just 35 runs in three matches in the series so far.

#1 Hit: Virat Kohli

The thing that sets the Indian skipper apart from the rest is his unquenchable thirst for runs and his zeal to succeed every time he steps onto the field.

With his magnificent knock of 160 off 159 deliveries, Kohli racked up the 34th ODI century of his career. It was an archetype for the kind of innings a one-down batsman should play when he walks out to a score of 0/1.

It was paced to perfection and played with the ideal amalgamation of precaution and aggression. The 29-year-old scored half of India's runs in the game and notched up a career-best batting average of 57.34 in 50-over cricket.