SA v IND 2018: AB de Villiers gives a warm hug to Virat Kohli after the sixth ODI in Centurion

India won the sixth match at Centurion by 8 wickets to seal the ODI series 5-1.

Kohli scored his 35th ODI ton in the sixth ODI at Centurion | AP

The most recently concluded six-match ODI series between India and South Africa saw the visitors creating a history by clinching the ODI series 5-1.

Prior to the series, there were plenty of buzz about the showdown between two of world cricket’s best batsmen – Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers and it would be fair to say that the Indian captain has emerged out as a clear winner between the two. While De Villiers missed the first three ODIs due to finger injury didn’t help his and South Africa’s cause, Kohli finished the series with a whopping 558 runs at an incredible average of 186 with 3 tons.

Amidst the rivalry though, one great moment that caught everyone’s attention was the camaraderie between Kohli and De Villiers. The RCB teammates were seen hugging each other soon after the conclusion of the sixth and final ODI in Centurion.

The sixth ODI saw the hosts getting bundled out for 204 in 46.5 overs. Rookie pacer Shardul Thakur, who got a chance to play in place of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, did a reasonably good job to claim 4-wicket haul while the seasoned speedster Jasprit Bumrah chipped in with 2 wickets. India’s wrist spinners – Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal also scalped claimed 3 wickets between them in the middle overs to take their wickets tally to 33 in the ODI series.

In reply, India didn’t experience the best of start as they lost the centurion of last match, Rohit Sharma for just 15. However, the Indian captain Virat Kohli was as determined as ever to help his team finish the series on a high note.

At first, Kohli forged a 61-run stand for the second wicket with Shikhar Dhawan (18 runs off 34 balls) before sealing the deal with an unbeaten 126-run partnership with Ajinkya Rahane (34 off 50 balls). Virat remained unbeaten on 129 off 96 balls as the hosts chased down South Africa’s paltry target of 205 with 8 wickets in hand and 107 balls to spare.

As soon as Kohli hit the winning shot, De Villiers was seen coming towards the Indian captain to congratulate him. After the handshake, the duo shared a warm hug in the middle of the pitch. The moment was captured by photographers around the stadium and it took the internet by storm.

Let’s have a look at some of the pictures:

 

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 17 Feb, 2018

    Share Via