India completed a comfortable seven-wicket win over South Africa in the third T20I after a strong bowling effort and a calm chase. While chasing a modest target, Abhishek Sharma once again gave India a fast start. He opened his account with a six and went on to score 35 off 18 balls, hitting three fours and three sixes. His attacking knock ended in the sixth over when Corbin Bosch dismissed him, with Aiden Markram pulling off a stunning catch in the deep.
Gill, Suryakumar's lean patch continues
After Abhishek's dismissal, Tilak joined Shubman Gill for the chase and the young T20I vice captain who has been struggling for form in T20Is, looked settled and scored 28 off 28 balls before being clean bowled by Marco Jansen in the 12th over. Suryakumar Yadav came in after Gill got out. Tilak and Suryakumar added 17 runs before the India captain fell trying his trademark scoop shot. Surya managed 12 off 11 balls, and it was another short stay during a lean patch.
Shivam Dube finished proceedings with two consecutive boundaries
With India needing just nine runs from 32 balls, Shivam Dube joined Tilak Varma and finished the match in style. Dube smashed a six and a four to seal the win in the 16th over.
India's bowling restricted South Africa on 117
Earlier, India’s pacers produced an outstanding spell of swing bowling to bowl South Africa out for 117, a total that proved well below par. Arshdeep Singh (2/13), Harshit Rana (2/34) and Hardik Pandya (1/23) led the charge after India chose to bowl first.
South Africa were off to a poor start, slumping to 25 for 3 in the power play, which included just two boundaries. Arshdeep, who had struggled in the previous match, made a strong comeback with a superb opening spell. He trapped Reeza Hendricks' leg after setting him up with movement away.
Harshit Rana removed Quinton de Kock with a sharp delivery that came back in, while Dewald Brevis was bowled attempting an aggressive shot. At 7 for 3, South Africa were already in deep trouble.
Aiden Markram's smashed half-century
Captain Aiden Markram was the lone bright spot, playing a fighting knock of 61 off 46 balls. However, wickets continued to fall around him as Tristan Stubbs and Corbin Bosch were dismissed in quick succession.
Hardik Pandya joins Bumrah, Arshdeep's club
Stubbs’ wicket helped Hardik Pandya complete 100 wickets in T20Is, making him only the third Indian to reach the milestone after Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah.
Spinner Varun Chakravarthy also had a memorable outing, finishing with 2 for 11 in four overs and picking up his 50th T20I wicket. He bowled Donovan Ferreira and later dismissed Marco Jansen, keeping South Africa under pressure till the end.
Markram reached his half-century with a six in the 18th over, but the late flourish came too late to change the outcome as India stayed firmly in control throughout the match.