Aiden Markram won the toss and he decided that South Africa would bowl first in the fifth ODI at Port Elizabeth. The conditions were overcast and Markram said it would be better to bat under lights.
India makes 274-7 against SA
Rohit Sharma made 115 to take India to 274-7 in the fifth One-Day International against South Africa on Tuesday, a competitive score as the Indians seek to seal a first ever series win in South Africa.
India leads the six-match series 3-1 and needs one more win from the last two games for that piece of history.
Sharma’s century was the highlight of a disappointing tour for him so far, both in the tests and the first four ODIs.
Sharma was partly responsible for that when he was involved in the successive run outs of captain Virat Kohli for 36 and Ajinkya Rahane for 8.
Shreyas Iyer hit 30 from 37 balls but India lost another four wickets in the last eight overs to slow at the end.
South African pacer Lungi Ngidi took a career-best 4-51, including the wickets of Sharma and Hardik Pandya off successive deliveries.
South Africa needs to win at St. George’s to stay alive in the series, retain hopes of a draw, and take the contest to the final game on Friday.
India led 3-0 before South Africa pulled one back in the last game in Johannesburg.
(With inputs from agencies)
