India beat South Africa by 78 runs in the third of the three-match ODI series in Paarl on Thursday (December 21) to clinch the series 2-1. While it was the Protes who won the toss and asked India to have a bat first in the series decider, India put on 296/8 riding on Sanju Samson’s maiden international hundred. The Rajasthan Royals skipper posted 108 off 114 balls, an innings studded with 6 fours and 3 sixes to aid India to a position of solidity.
In the run chase, India were right on top of the Proteas after they had got off to a blistering start. Arshdeep Singh was the wrecker-in-chief for the touring party as the left-arm seamer finished with figures of 4 for 10 to take his overall wickets tally in the series to 10. Arshdeep got rid of Reeza Hendricks, Tony de Zorzi, Keshav Maharaj and Lizaad Williams to help India get wickets upfront in the middle overs and back at the death.
India’s young brigade clinch the ODI series 2-1 after a throughly convincing victory in the final match 👊
📝 #SAvIND: https://t.co/XDucAXYbE6 pic.twitter.com/4LKSUO2mSA
— ICC (@ICC) December 21, 2023
Other than Arshdeep, Avesh Khan and Washington Sundar picked two wickets apiece while Mukesh Kumar and Axar Patel scalped a wicket each. For South Africa with the ball it was Beuran Hendricks who scalped 3 wickets for 63 runs and was the best performer while Nandre Burger picked 2 for 64. Lizaad Williams, Wiaan Mulder and Keshav Maharaj picked a wicket each.
The result implies India have levelled the T20I series and won the ODI series. The series now moves to the longest format which will get underway with the Boxing-day Test match set to commence at the SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium in Centurion on December 26 (Tuesday). Veteran India batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be back with the team with the Hitman at the helm of affairs.