India looses last one day and series

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Centurian: India has lost the last one day and the 5 match series 3-2, despite a valiant century by Indian all rounder Yusuf Pathan. With the loss,  India’s dreams of recording the first ever ODI series win on the South African soil had evaporated.

            India won the toss and put the hosts to bat. However, Indian bowlers failed to contain the South African batsmmen. They scored 250 for nine in 46 overs, with Hashim Amla contributing an unbeaten  116. India was fixed a target of 268 runs in 48 overs following delay due to rain, under the Duckworth Lewis revised target.

           India was struggling at 74 for six, when Yusuf Pathan came into bat in the fourteenth over. He scored eight brilliant sixes and as many fours in his scintillating knock of 105 in 70 balls, raising hopes of a historic win for the Indian side. However these hopes were short lived and South Africans sent the Indian team bundled out for 234.

            India’s chase of 268 runs in 46 overs was scuttled early by the self-destructing innings of some of the top order batsmen. Despite Parthiv Patel playing boldly scoring 38, the top order recklessly through away their wickets. Morne Morkel sent India’s top batsmen to the pavilion, making things easy for his side to win the match. Rohit Sharma, M S Dhoni and Yuvaraj Singh – all internationally reputed batsmen failed to cross the double figure mark. While Amla was selected Man of the Match, Morkel was named the man of the series.