India started their tour of South Africa 2021-22 with a 113-run win in the first Test in December. But, into a new year, they lost the next five matches across formats to end the Safari brutalised. On Sunday at Newlands, India needed 288 runs to deny the Proteas a 3-0 series sweep in the ODIs, but KL Rahul & Co ended up losing the final match of the tour by four runs. Rahul, filling in for absent Rohit Sharma, won the toss and opted to bowl as India made as many as four changes in a bid to stop the slump. But Quinton de Kock produced a batting masterclass to hit his sixth ODI ton (in just 16 innings) to help South Africa post 287 in 49.5 overs. Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli hit 60s then Deepak Chahar played a blinder, hitting 54 off 34, to keep the visitors alive. India needed ten in the last three, then a glory-seeking Chahar departed. He was soon followed by Jasprit Bumrah and it's 6 in 6 with nine down. Last man Yuzvendra Chahal tried to hoick the second ball in the last over, but ended up getting a top edge. India lost by four runs.
(REPORT | SCORECARD | CRICKET NEWS)