Top 5 ODI bowling performances by Indians against the Proteas in South Africa

#3 Kuldeep Yadav (4/23) - Cape Town, 2018

Kuldeep Yadav is ecstatic after taking a wicket. Pic: Getty Images

Left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav claimed 4 for 23 in nine overs as India thumped South Africa by 124 runs in the third ODI of the six-match series in Cape Town in February 2018. The Proteas were set 304 for victory after they sent India into bat upon winning the toss. However, Kuldeep played the starring role with the ball to kill South Africa’s hopes in the chase.

He had the well-set Aiden Markram (32) stumped after beating him in flight. He then returned to run through the lower order. Chris Morris (14) was trapped lbw by one that kept a bit low and Andile Phehlukwayo (3) top-edged a flighted delivery to extra cover. Kuldeep bowled India to victory when Lungi Ngidi (6) missed his slog and was trapped in front of the stumps by a wrong'un.

Yuzvendra Chahal also claimed four wickets, although he was a bit expensive, going for 46 runs, while Jasprit Bumrah ended with two scalps. Earlier, India’s total of 303 for 6 was built around Virat Kohli’s magnificent 160* and Shikhar Dhawan’s 76.

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#2 Munaf Patel (4/29) - Johannesburg, 2011

Former India pacer Munaf Patel. Pic: Getty Images

Munaf Patel was India’s surprise hero as the visitors defended a target of 191 by one run in the second ODI of the five-match series in Johannesburg in January 2011. After cleaning up India for 190 in 47.2 overs, South Africa were cruising at 152 for 4 in the chase. However, Munaf came up with one of his most memorable bowling efforts to stun the Proteas.

The tall pacer gave India early hope by sending back opener Hashim Amla (4) with a wonderful delivery that seamed in and found the edge of the prolific batter. His second wicket came in the 33rd over when he bowled Graeme Smith for 77 as the South African captain inside-edged an attempted punch onto the stumps.

At 188 for 8, the hosts looked set to clinch a thriller. However, Morne Morkel (6) kept India in the game by cutting Munaf straight to point. The pacer then sent back Wayne Parnell (12) as he too cut one to point. India pulled off a heist as South Africa choked again. Munaf’s heroics meant Lonwabo Tsotsobe’s effort of 4 for 22, which held India to under 200, went in vain.

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#1 Yuzvendra Chahal (5/22) - Centurion, 2018

Yuzvendra Chahal is ecstatic after claiming a wicket. Pic: Getty Images

Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal bamboozled the South African batting line-up with figures of 5 for 22 in the second ODI of the six-match series in Centurion in February 2018. India elected to field first after winning the toss and Chahal’s brilliance rolled over the Proteas for a paltry 118 in 32.2 overs.

The wily spinner first sent back Quinton de Kock (20) with a short ball that the left-hander hit to deep midwicket. Khaya Zondo (25) then top-edged a slog sweep, while JP Duminy (25) was trapped in front of the stumps with a ball that dipped on him. Morne Morkel (1) failed to read a wrong'un and was out lbw after which Chahal completed his maiden five-fer in ODIs by having Chris Morris (14) caught at deep cover.

Left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav also chipped in with three wickets as South Africa’s batters crumbled under pressure. Chasing 119, India romped home to victory by nine wickets in just 20.3 overs. Shikhar Dhawan remained unbeaten on 51 and skipper Kohli on 46.