King Kohli conquers Africa in epic series

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.

"You want to lead from the front with your performances," said Kohli. "When they come off so well, along with the effort of the whole team, it's very pleasing."

Asked how he maintained the intensity which he had shown throughout the series, Kohli said: "I've got eight or nine years left in my career. It's not a long career for a cricketer so I want to make the most of it. I want to train as hard as I can and make the most of every day."

But the India captain was not interested in debate about his place among the greatest in the game. 

"I don’t feel like competing with anyone. It’s all about how I prepare, what my work ethic is like and how I’m feeling on game-day," said Kohli.

"My only motivation is getting into that frame of mind. I only look to help my team in any way I can. If during the course of that, if you’re thinking about the team, special things happen.

"But if you’re thinking about being ahead of someone else, you’ll be found out very soon in this game, and then you’re compromising on what the team needs.

"I don’t want any tags, any headlines, I just go out there do my job. I don’t want to be called anything – it’s my job, I’m supposed to do what I’m doing."

He paid credit to "people off the field" who had contributed to his and India's outstanding performances, including his wife, Bollywood star Anushka Sharma.

"She keeps me motivated," he said. "She has been criticised in the past but she is one person who keeps me going."

India coach Ravi Shastri was full of praise for Kohli, who said there was no doubt he was the best ODI batsman in the world. 

"I've seen him batting across all conditions in all formats and it’s not just averages, it’s the way you get runs, when you get it and the impact those runs have on what the team does," said Shastri.

"I would safely say he’s the best batsmen in the world now."

Proteas skipper Aiden Markram - who was appointed to the job after injuries to Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers - said Kohli's "desperation" to win made him a dangerous opponent.

"Virat’s desperation to win games for his side is massive," said Markram.

"That’s why he conducts himself the way he does, but it’s from a competitive point of view, there is nothing malicious.

"That desperation is shown when he bats, he doesn’t just want to get close to the line, he gets his side over the line and we saw that again tonight."

The platform for Kohli was set by India's bowlers, who dismissed the hosts for a mediocre 204. Fast bowler Shardul Thakur took advantage of his only start of the series to take 4-52.

After Rohit Sharma was dismissed in the fourth over of the run chase, 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.

Despite India holding a series-winning 4-1 lead, Thakur was the only change to a winning combination, replacing Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

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

It was only the fourth score of 50 or more for the hosts in a series in which their top batsmen have failed to fire.

Wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal took their wicket tallies for the series to 17 and 16 respectively, although Yadav took only one wicket and Chahal claimed two.

Chahal claimed the key wicket of AB de Villiers, bowling South Africa's star batsman with a flipper when he shaped to cut.

Qantas tour of South Africa

Australia squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc.

Warm-up match v SA Invitational XI, Sahara Park, Benoni, Feb 22-24

First Test Kingsmead, Durban, March 1-5

Second Test St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, March 9-13

Third Test Newlands, Cape Town, March 22-26

Fourth Test Wanderers, Johannesburg, March 30-April 3