Mahendra Singh Dhoni's Blitz, Axar Patel's Triple And an Umpiring Blunder: Five Key Moments That Helped India Win Indore ODI

India levelled the five-match series in grand style by registering a thrilling 22-run win in the second one-day international in Indore on Wednesday. Mahendra Singh Dhoni played a heroic 92 not out after the top order blundered on a batting track at the Holkar Stadium. Young left-arm spinner Axar Patel, preferred over leg-spinner Amit Mishra, then justified his selection with a three-wicket haul to rock the South Africans, who played poor strokes and also were done in by an umpiring blunder at a crucial stage of their hot and cold chase. Here are five moments that helped India maintain their winning streak in Indore.

1. Mahendra Singh Dhoni's Knock of 92 Rescues India

One major factor behind India's victory was Dhoni's unbeaten 92 off 86 balls. India were staring down the barrel at 124/6 and there were fears that the team would not be able to bat out the full 50 overs. Dhoni, who was facing severe criticism for not closing the match in Kanpur, guided the team to safety. Batting with the lower order, Dhoni showed his ability to smash the big blows and rotated the strike to keep the South African pacers at bay.

Dhoni got going with a six off JP Duminy in the 36th over and smashed two fours off Kagiso Rabada to signal his attacking intent. He got to his 60th ODI fifty in style when he blasted Duminy over long on for a six. Dhoni was central to India scoring 82 runs in the final 10 overs. Although he did not get to his century, Dhoni ended the innings in style by pulling Rabada over deep midwicket for a six as India finished on 247/9.

Speaking after the match, former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar told NDTV that the captain's knock was monumental. "Dhoni's unbeaten 92 was worth 140. When you are batting down the order then it is very difficult to score a century. For the top-three batsmen it's easier because of the number of overs that one gets but not at No. 4 or No. 5 position."

2. When India's Tail Wagged With Dhoni

Dhoni's knock of 92 and India's final score of 247/9 would not have been possible had the tail not wagged. With Axar Patel's inclusion, there were fears that the tail would be too long. However, they supported Dhoni and gave India the boost they needed towards the end.

Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh shared a vital 56-run partnership for the seventh wicket and this stand put India back on track. Harbhajan also took the attack to the South African bowlers and in no time had scored a run-a-ball 22. The partnership was off 42 balls and they maintained a run-rate of eight during that period. Without this partnership, India would not have gotten the impetus. The final wicket partnership with Mohit Sharma, which was worth 22 runs, was also crucial in the context of the game. Mohit faced only one ball but it was Dhoni who helped India get to the score which gave the bowlers a chance. The final victory margin of 22 runs highlighted the importance of this stand.

Axar Patel finished with three for 39.

© AFP

3. Axar Patel's Getting Rid of the in-form JP Duminy

Heading into the match, there were plenty of criticism about Axar Patel's selection ahead of Amit Mishra. Axar had a poor T20I series while Mishra was the best bowler on show in Kanpur ODI. In pursuit of 248, South Africa had lost both the openers, with Axar getting rid of Hashim Amla for 17. JP Duminy and Faf du Plessis were forging a strong partnership. South Africa were in cruise control and India were running out of options.

Axar was called back into the attack to bowl to Duminy. The South African left-hander had hurt Axar during the Twenty20 international in Dharamsala when he clouted three sixes off his bowling to change the course of the match. This time, Axar got his revenge and he trapped Duminy LBW when the batsman missed the sweep. The 56-run stand was broken and India had finally got the breakthrough they desired.

Virat Kohli took two brilliant catches to dismiss Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers.

© BCCI

4. Virat Kohli's Brilliant Catching Chokes South Africa

The old cricketing adage "catches win matches" was proved comprehensively in Indore. India's catching was a sight to behold. The athleticism on display gave the fans plenty of thrills. The key people behind India's wonderful fielding efforts were the skipper and Virat Kohli.

Kohli's catching changed the match for the hosts. Faf du Plessis was in ominous touch on 51 when Axar struck again. The batsman charged out of the crease and looked to go inside out over extra cover but he ended up mistiming it. Kohli, at cover, leapt at the right time and completed a sharp catch. However, it was the wicket of South Africa's ace in the pack, AB de Villiers, that put India on course. De Villiers flat-batted a short and wide ball to cover but Kohli, alert to the situation, dived to his left and plucked a great catch. Dhoni was also brilliant behind the stumps when he dived full length to his left to take out David Miller for 0. The fielding brilliance was complete when Morne Morkel edged Bhuvneshwar Kumar to slips and Suresh Raina dived to his right to take a great catch with both hands. India's fielding had made a difference.

Vineet Kulkarni has been under fire for his umpiring in the ongoing series.

© BCCI

5. An Umpiring Blunder Seals The Deal

South Africa were losing wickets in quick succession but Farhaan Behardien was still there unbeaten on 18. Until he was there, the Proteas dared to dream. However, in the 40th over, their dreams were shattered, thanks to an umpiring mistake.

Harbhajan Singh floated a flighted delivery just outside leg stump and Behardien looked to glance it to fine leg. He missed and Harbhajan did not appeal vehemently. However, Dhoni appealed and that was enough for umpire Vineet Kulkarni to raise the finger. However, replays indicated that there was no glove or bat involved.

Some said the decision highlighted how poor Indian umpires are. Some called it poetic justice. In the Dharamsala Twenty20 match, umpire Kulkarni had failed to give Duminy out LBW when the ball was hitting middle stump. That decision allowed South Africa to win a high-scoring thriller. Here, umpire Kulkarni's decision helped India immensely and they clinched a low-scoring thriller.