With the series on the line, both India and South Africa were expected to fight tooth and nail to win the third ODI in Delhi on Tuesday. But it turned out to be a dull one-sided contest as the hosts registered a clinical seven wicket win after bowling the Proteas out for a paltry total of 99 runs.
The track turned out to be a difficult one to bat on once again and the Indian bowlers put the South African batters under pressure straightaway. The Proteas lost their first wicket in the form of Quinton de Kock in the third over of the innings and wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals after that.
Heinrich Klaasen was the only batter who looked at ease against the Indian bowlers but even he perished to an unbelievable delivery from Shahbaz Ahmed for 34. Once the Protea tail was in, wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav ran through it and finished with figures of 4/18. Apart from him, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj and Shahbaz Ahmed claimed a couple of wickets each as South Africa were bowler out for 99 in just 27.1 overs.
India got off to a good start while chasing the target as Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill put on an opening stand of 42 runs. Gill did the bulk of the scoring in that partnership while Dhawan scored just eight runs. The southpaw’s lean patch continued as he was unfortunately run out on eight in the seventh over of the innings.
The hosts lost a couple of quick wickets after that as Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan walked back to the pavilion for scores of 49 and 10 respectively. But Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson ensured that India didn’t go through anymore hiccups as the former finished the chase with a six, remaining unbeaten on 28. Samson was also unbeaten at the other end with just a couple of runs to his name as India won the match with seven wickets and 30.5 overs to spare.
Kuldeep Yadav was adjudged the Player of the Match for his superb spell whereas Mohammed Siraj was adjudged the Player of the Series for his consistent bowling performances.
Brief Scores
South Africa 99 All out in 27.1 overs (Klaasen 34, Malan 15; Kuldeep 4/18)
India 105/3 in 19.1 overs (Gill 49, Iyer 29*, Fortuin 1/20)
India won by seven wickets.
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