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Sanju Samson’s maiden ODI hundred followed by a clinical bowling display helped KL Rahul-led India win the decider by 78 runs and avenge the cleansweep on their last tour and clinch the three-ODI series 2-1. Chasing a target of 297, barring in-form Tony de Zorzi no batter could make a mark as they were bowled out for 218 in the 46th over.
Earlier, Aiden Markram won the toss and opted to field first. In the absence of an injured Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rajat Patidar made his ODI debut. Patidar was attacking from the start. In the fifth over, he smashed Nandre Burger for a six. He hit him for a boundary as well before getting bowled. Patidar departed for a 16-ball 22. In the eighth over, Sai Sudharsan was trapped in front of the stumps by Beuran Hendricks.
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Promoted up the order, Samson and Rahul tried to get the innings back on track. They shared a 52-run partnership for the third wicket. Rahul was dismissed by Wiaan Mulder. He scored 21 runs from 35 balls including two boundaries. Tilak Varma was defensive at the start of his innings. No boundaries were scored for more than 10 overs. Meanwhile, Samson reached his half-century from 66 balls. Varma hit his first six in the 33rd over off Markram. Boundaries started to follow. Samson shifted gears too as the slogovers approached.
In the 41st over, Varma got to his maiden ODI fifty with a boundary. He took 74 deliveries to reach the milestone. But he lost his wicket in an attempt to attack Keshav Maharaj. His 77-ball 52 featured five fours and a six. Rinku Singh came out all guns blazing. He hit Burger for a six in the next over. In the 44th over, Samson reached his maiden ODI hundred from 110 balls. He hit Hendricks for a six next over but could not remain unbeaten. Lizaad Williams dismissed him in the 46th over. His 108 off 114 balls was laced with six fours and three sixes.
Hendricks struck again to dismiss Axar Patel for a single-digit score. Washington Sundar contributed with a 9-ball 14 before falling to Hendricks in the penultimate over. Arshdeep Singh surprised everyone with a six off the first ball he faced. In the final over, Rinku hit a four followed by a six. He went for another big shot but got caught in the deep by Reeza Hendricks. He scored 38 runs from 27 balls. India posted 296/8, their second-highest ODI total against Proteas in South Africa.
South Africa's run chase got off to a good start. Mukesh Kumar overstepped and De Zorzi made him pay for it. He took on Mukesh again and hit him for a six in the sixth over. In the ninth over, Arshdeep broke the opening partnership with the wicket of Hendricks as he edged one to the wicketkeeper. He scored 19 runs from 24 balls. De Zorzi continued to take on the bowlers. Patel delivered with the wicket of Rassie van der Dussen who managed to score just two runs from 17 balls. De Zorzi reached his half-century from 54 balls. Markram and Zorzi in the 25th over hit Patel for a six each. In the next over, Markram went for a reverse sweep against Sundar and paid the price. He was dismissed for a 41-ball 36.
Arshdeep put a major dent in South Africa's hopes with a yorker to hit De Zorzi's boot. He got out lbw for an 87-ball 81. His knock featured six fours and three sixes. Heinrich Klaasen threw his wicket away as he went for a chip shot. Sudharsan took an acrobatic catch diving forward. After losing five wickets for 174, South Africa suffered a collapse. Sundar got Mulder, and Mukesh returned to dismiss David Miller. Arshdeep struck twice to dismiss Maharaj and Williams whereas Avesh wrapped up the proceedings in the 46th over. South Africa were bowled out for 218 with 25 balls left in the innings as they lost the match by 78 runs.
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