India created a history by securing the victory of an ODI bilateral series on the South African soil after beating the hosts in the fifth ODI at St George’s Park (Port Elizabeth).

After winning the toss, South Africa decided to bowl first. With the help of opener Rohit Sharma’s brilliant century, India managed to put 274/7 on the board at the end of 50 overs.

In reply, South Africa was bowled out for just 201 runs in 42.2 overs. India won the match by 73 runs and secured their series victory.

Before the final ODI of the series, India is ahead by the 1-4 margin.

Brief Scores: India – 274/7 in 50 overs (Rohit Sharma 115, Virat Kohli 36, Lungi Ngidi 4/51)

South Africa – 201 in 42.2 overs (Hashim Amla 71, Heinrich Klaasen 39, Kuldeep Yadav 4/57)

Result – India won by 73 runs

Here are some of the statistical highlights of the match:

1. Indian batsmen Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli put a brilliant 105-runs partnership for the second wicket

i) India’s joint highest ODI partnership for any wicket at St George’s Park (Port Elizabeth). On 2^nd February 1997, Indian batsmen Mohammad Azharuddin and Rahul Dravid put a 105-runs partnership for the fourth wicket against South Africa.

2. Indian opener Rohit Sharma scored 115 runs.

i) Highest ODI innings by an Indian batsman at St George’s Park (Port Elizabeth). The previous record was 87* by Virat Kohli against South Africa on 21^st January 2011.

Also read: Rohit Sharma ends his run-drought with a brilliant century

3. 15^th ODI century for Rohit Sharma as an opener.

i) Third most ODI centuries by an Indian opener. Here is the top five list:

Most ODI centuries by an Indian opener

4. India managed to score 274/7 in 50 overs.

i) First time when India crossed 200-runs mark in an ODI at St George’s Park (Port Elizabeth). Their previous record was 179/9 (50 overs) against South Africa on 2^nd February 1997.

ii) Fourth highest ODI total for any foreign team at St George’s Park (Port Elizabeth). Here is the list:

Top 5 ODI totals for any foreign team at St George’s Park (Port Elizabeth)

5. Indian left-arm chinaman had a bowling figure of 10-0-57-4.

i) Best ODI bowling figure by an Indian bowler at St George’s Park (Port Elizabeth). The previous record holder was left-arm orthodox bowler Yuvraj Singh with 8-0-34-3 against South Africa on 21^st January 2011.

ii) Fourth best ODI bowling figure by an Indian spinner against South Africa on the South African soil. Here is the top 5 list:

Top 5 best ODI bowling performances by an Indian spinner against South Africa on the South African soil

Also watch: Bhuvneshwar Getting Tips From Kuldeep and Chahal

6. India won this match by 73 runs.

i) India’s first ever victory in an international cricket match at St George’s Park (Port Elizabeth). Before this ODI, India had played two Tests and five ODIs, where they had drawn one Test and lost other six international matches. Out of five ODIs, India lost once against Kenya and four times against the hosts South Africa.

7. India won the six-match ODI series. Currently, the visitors are leading by the 1-4 margin.

i) India first time won an ODI bilateral series on the South African soil. Before this series, India had played four ODI bilateral series in this country where they had lost all of them.

ii) Playing five or more matches in a bilateral series, it is the third time when any visiting team won an ODI series on the South African soil. Before this, only Australia had won twice (by the 3-4 margin in 1996/97 and by the 1-5 margin in 2001/02).

iii) Playing more than one match in a bilateral series, it is the first time when India won a series on the South African soil. Previously, India had won one-off T20I series for twice (2006/07 and 2010/11).