India have achieved their maiden series win in South Africa, taking a 4-1 lead by winning the fifth match. This is a very rare series defeat for South Africa at home. They have played 25 bilateral series of five or more matches at home, and this is only the third time they have lost such a series. The previous time was way back in 2001-02 against Australia. The other instance was also against Australia, in 1996-97. This is the first time India have won an ODI series in South Africa in five attempts.
South Africa have been dominated by India in both the batting and bowling departments. South Africa have averaged 22.65 with the bat and 50.20 with the ball; both the worst in any bilateral series at home for them. Their previous worst home series in terms of batting average was against New Zealand in 2012-13 (24.96), and the previous worst in terms of bowling average was also against New Zealand in 2007-08 (40.94).
Spinners' series
One major thing for which this series will be remembered is the influence of India's two wristspinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. They were the stars of India's bowling. Kuldeep picked up 16 wickets at average of 11.56, and Chahal took 14 wickets at 16.00; the next highest wicket-taker did not pick up even half of their tallies. The only game they failed to deliver in was the fourth ODI at the Wanderers, which India lost.
The 30 wickets taken by the two spinners is the most by India spinners in any bilateral series. The spinners had picked up 27 wickets against England at home in 2005-06, which was the previous best.