Series level despite Kohli fireworks

Kohli struck a sparkling 87 and had a hand in three dismissals.

PORT ELIZABETH: Virat Kohli struck a sparkling 87 not out and had a hand in three dismissals but could not stop South Africa from winning the fourth One-Day International (ODI) against India at St George’s Park.

South Africa won the rain-affected game by 48 runs on the Duckworth/Lewis method to level the five-match series at two-all, making today’s final match at Centurion the decider.

JP Duminy was South Africa’s star, making an unbeaten 71 and leading a recovery after the hosts suffered a top order collapse.

South Africa scored 265 for six after winning the toss while India were struggling at 142 for six after 32.5 overs when rain ended play.

“We needed to play well tonight,” said South African captain Graeme Smith.

“We had a few moments where our brains didn’t work but we managed to show a lot of skill and dtermination to get to a good total.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 23^rd, 2011.