Kohli ton scripts 5-1 finish

Afp, Centurion
Virat Kohli said he would never take his cricket talent for granted after he finished India's one-day international series against South Africa as he started it -- with a match-winning century.

Kohli was in dazzling form as he hit 129 not out off 96 balls to take India to an eight-wicket win with 17.5 overs to spare in the sixth one-day international.

It completed a crushing 5-1 series victory for India, who started the series second behind South Africa in the one-day rankings but finished as the undisputed number one side.

The series was a personal triumph for Kohli, who hit three centuries and became the first player to score more than 500 runs in a bilateral series. He finished with 558 runs at an average of 186.00.

The platform for Kohli was set by India's bowlers, who bowled out the hosts for a mediocre 204. Fast bowler Shardul Thakur took advantage of his only start of the series to take four for 52.

After Rohit Sharma was dismissed in the fourth over, Kohli took command.

South Africa's batsmen had struggled to bat fluently on a slow pitch but Kohli struck the ball with power and precision to reach his fifty off 36 balls and his 35th one-day international century off 82 deliveries with 17 fours.

There were two more fours and two sixes as Kohli finished the match with a flurry of strokes.

Khaya Zondo, like Thakur playing in his third international match, top-scored for South Africa with 54 off 74 balls.

SCORES IN BRIEF

SOUTH AFRICA: 204 all out in 46.5 overs (Zondo 54, Phehlukwayo 34, AB de Villiers 30; Thakur 4-52, Bumrah 2-24, Chahal 2-38)

INDIA: 206 for 2 in 32.1 overs (Kohli 129 not out, Rahane 34 not out; Ngidi 2-54)

Result: India won by 8 wickets

Player-of-the-match: Virat Kohli

Player-of-the-series: Virat Kohli