South Africa have to chase down 300 to win the fourth ODI in Chennai against India and clinch a series victory.
India finished on 299-8 after losing two wickets with the final two deliveries of the innings. A superb 138 off 140 balls by Virat Kohli gave India the control for most of the innings as he shared two consecutive partnerships of 100-plus, first with Ajinkya Rahane (45) and then with Suresh Raina (53).
South Africa had gone into the match without JP Duminy and Morne Morkel, both injured, and they were replaced by Chris Morris and Aaron Phangiso.
Morris took 1-55 in nine overs and Phangiso claim 0-51 in nine. The standout performers for South Africa was Dale Steyn (3-61) and Kagiso Rabada (3-54) who combined well.
The Proteas managed to take early wickets and had India struggling on 35-2, but after Kohli got going India always looked like scoring a total close to 300 on a slow wicket.
The spinners never troubled the Indian batsmen and they again relied on the fast bowlers to deliver the goods.
AB de Villiers dropped Raina on 48, but luckily it didn’t cost them much runs.
De Villiers will now need to lead the charge as his team chases 300. They will need a good start to protect a long tail.
