India’s three current star players — MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane — have been instrumental in helping India draw early advantage by taking a 2-0 lead against South Africa in their backyard. India beat the hosts by 6 wickets in the 1st ODI and by 8 wickets in the 2nd ODI. Virat Kohli, who is enjoying a purple patch, hit his 33rd ODI century against South Africa in the 1st ODI. Yuzvendra Chahal also bagged his maiden five-wicket haul as well in the 2nd ODI.
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So looking ahead at the 3rd ODI that will take place in Cape Town, let us find out the milestones that beckon the Indian cricketers.
Three-on-the-trot:
This could be the first time India wins 3 consecutive ODIs against South Africa on their soil. This would be an applaudable feat considering the formidable team they are. They had, in the past, won two back-to-back matches. They won at Johannesburg and Cape Town in 2010-11 and emulated that in the ongoing series. They now have a chance to better that record.
Touchdown _
It’s time to rock in Cape Town! __ pic.twitter.com/gfbYQ8ZAEn— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) February 5, 2018
Dhoni on the cusp of eclipsing Mt 10,000!
MS Dhoni is just 98 runs shy of breaching the 10,000-run mark in ODIs. Of these, 174 runs have come for Asia XI. If he gets there, he will become the 4th Indian to do so after Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid. He will also become the 12th overall to achieve this feat.
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Rahane has a landmark set in sight:
Ajinkya Rahane (2,901) is just 99 runs away from becoming the 20th Indian and 148th overall to reach the 3,000-run mark. With the form Rahane has shown in the 1st ODI, no one can count off the possibility of Rahane getting there.
Kohli could pip Jonty!
Virat Kohli needs a solitary catch to pip Jonty Rhodes to the 3rd spot among non-wicketkeepers for most catches in India-South Africa ODIs. Graeme Smith (19) sits on top of the tree with this one, closely followed by Rahul Dravid (17).
Whether these milestones are breached or not, it has already been a riveting series for the fans and they want more of it.
