India vs South Africa | Team India did not deserve to win, says Virat Kohli

After winning the first three games with a good margin, India faced a disappointing five-wicket loss at the Wanderers on Saturday. The visitors wanted to maintain their winning momentum and grip in the series and with another win, were eyeing to seal the series at the earliest. On the other hand for South Africa, it was a do-or-die game as they had already lost the first three games of the six-match ODI series.

Shikhar Dhawan managed to stay for the longest as he brought up his 13th ODI ton, who was well-supported by the skipper's crucial 75-run-knock during the second wicket partnership. Apart from Dhawan and Kohli, it was only MS Dhoni, who showed some fight late in the game adding 42 runs to the total. For the hosts, Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada claimed two wickets each, while Morne Morkel and Chris Morris managed one wicket apiece that restricted India’s total to 289/7. 

Starting on the backfoot, the match was further affected by rain that resulted in South Africa getting a revised target of 202 runs, which they needed to chase in 28 overs. After the long rain interval in the second innings, the hosts needed 159 runs in 20.4 overs, which kept the game heavily balanced for either side. However, some poor Indian bowling meant SA kept their unbeaten streak in the Pink jersey intact.

“In the second innings when the game was placed after the interval, we got a difference of 35 between runs and balls, it was almost a T20 game. We had to take our chances, no balls aren't easy. In hindsight, you have to give credit to South Africa. We did not grab our chances so we did not deserve to win,” aid Kohli as quoted by AFP.

While chasing the target, David Miller got as many as two lifelines during the 18th over of Yuzvendra Chahal. After Shreyas Iyer missed his easy catch, the southpaw saw his clear dismissal by Chahal being overturned by a no-ball delivery. It was pretty much the end of India's hopes as he went on to add 32 more runs, bringing SA closer to the target.

“No balls are something that hurts you as a team and it is something we hope to rectify and not repeat them in the next games. They are a quality side and we know that. We also know that we have to be at the top of our game to get a win and that's what we'll do for the next game,” the 29-year-old added.