India levelled the 3-match T20i series by winning the 3rd T20i match against South Africa convincingly. It was more of a one sided performance by visitors as the home side could not play as per their reputation neither they bowled well nor their batters were for the challenge.
South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl first. India batting did not start well as they were 2 down at a score of 29 in just 2.3 overs. But after that it was only India all the way through as Indian Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal batter brilliantly for his 60 runs including 6 fours and 3 sixes on 41 balls. But the talk of the town was India’s skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s explosive batting who went onto make big 100 on just 56 balls including 7 fours and 8 sixes. It was Yadav’s 4th t20i hundred and his contribution was India’s half innings score as India managed to reach at score of 201/7 in 20 overs.
India’s bowling department also performed as their skipper did with the bat in 1st Innings. Kuldeep Yadav on his 29th birthday, got his career best bowling figures (5 for 17 runs) in t20i. He surely could not have dreamed a better birthday gift then this exceptionall bowling performance forcing South Africa their 3rd biggest defeat in t20i in chasing.
South Africa batting was a big flop in this 3rd t20i match. Only the skipper Aiden Makram and David Miller showed some resistance as they made 25 and 35 runs respectively but was unable to convert this start into a match winning score. With India’s brilliant bowling, only in the 13th over South Africa were all out at a score of 95.
As 1st t20i was not played due to rain and second match was won by the home side, so after this 3rd match win India levelled this 3-match t20i series with 1-1. Now both teams will play a 3-match odi series. Suryakumar Yadav for his brilliant performance with the bat was named for Man of the Match and also Man of the Series award.
Schedule of 1st odi Match:
1st odi – India vs South Africa – December 17th, 2023 at Johannesburg.