Centurion ODI: Thakur picks four wickets as Proteas fold for 204

Centurion: Shardul Thakur bagged a four-wicket haul as India bundled out South Africa for 204 runs in the dead-rubber sixth and final ODI of the six-match series here at the SuperSport Park on Friday.

After being asked to bat first, South Africa made a slow start to their innings, losing stand-in captain Aiden Markram and opener Hashim Amla lowly for 24 and 10 runs, respectively off Thakur’s deliveries.

However, Khaya Zondo subsequently steadied the innings for the home side as he shared a crucial 62-run stand with first drop AB de Villiers for the third wicket to save his side’s bushes.

Soon after scoring his maiden half-century, Zondo (54) was dismissed by Yuzvendra Chahal before the Indian bowler clean bowled de Villiers (30).

Thakur then bagged his third wicket when he dismissed Farhaan Behardien (one) while Jasprit Bumrah scalped Heinrich Klaasen (22) in the 31st over.

Subsequently, Andile Phehlukwayo and Morne Morkel scored 34 and 20 respectively before the home side were bundled out for 204 runs.

Thakur finished with the figures of four for 52 in South Africa’s innings followed by Bumrah’s figures of two for 24.

Chahal ended the innings with two wickets and conceding 38 runs, while Kuldeep Yadav and Hardik Pandya chipped in with a wicket each.

An upbeat India, who had earlier scripted a history in South Africa with an unprecedented series win following a 73-run win in the fourth ODI, are looking to end the series with a 5-1 win heading into the match.

Meanwhile, South Africa are playing for pride and aiming to end the ODI series on a winning note.(ANI)