Kohli trumps de Villiers as India level series
India's bowlers backed up a long-awaited century from Virat Kohli as the hosts defeated South Africa by 35 runs on Thursday to level the five-match one-day series 2-2.
Kohli smashed 138 off 140 balls to lift India to 299-8 after Mahendra Singh Dhoni elected to bat in the must-win international at the Chidambaram stadium in Chennai.
The tourists managed only 264-9 in reply despite a heroic 112 off 107 balls by skipper AB de Villiers even as the other batsmen folded in the stifling heat and humidity.
Seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed three wickets and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh took two to set the stage for the decisive final match at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai on Sunday.
Dhoni said teamwork was pivotal in the crucial series-levelling game.
"As a team we did well, we bowled well and batted well," he said. "Virat batted exceedingly well, especially the runs he got after the 35-over mark.
"Everyone has scored runs in the series now so that's good as we go into the last match."
Kohli, who was named man of the match, lavished praise on de Villiers for fighting it out in the hot weather.
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