India launched a strong comeback when they needed it the most as they thrashed South Africa by 48 runs in their third T20 International to stay alive in the five-match series on Tuesday.
Yuzvendra Chahal (3/20) and Harshal Patel (4/25) led the way with the ball after sizzling half-centuries from Ruturaj Gaikwad (57) and Ishan Kishan (54) powered India to 179/5.
The bowlers came good after opener Gaikwad turned things around with a scintillating knock and Ishan scored his second fifty of the series.
Meanwhile, delighted that his team was finally able to execute its plan to perfection, India skipper Rishabh Pant emphasised on the importance of spinners performing well in the middle overs, especially in Indian conditions.
The Indian spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Axar Patel bowled beautifully to help the hosts register a 48-run win over South Africa in the third T20I and stay alive in the five-match series.
"The execution was spot-on from the bowlers and the batters. We were 15 runs short, but we weren't thinking about that. Bowlers did a fantastic job for us," Pant said at the post-match presentation.
It was a much improved performance from Chahal and Axar Patel (1/28), who went for 75 and 59 in six and five overs respectively in the previous two games.
"In India, spinners play a big role. They contain the batsmen in the middle overs. So there was pressure on them to perform, but in such matches when it comes off, this is what happens." However, the skipper was not happy with the middle order batting collapse that saw India fall a few runs short of the expected total.
"I don't think it's a good thing for us (middle order not performing), but after a good start it's difficult for new batsmen to go straight away. We will try to improve in the next match," Pant said.
Chahal, who was adjudged the Player of the Match, was rewarded for bowling quick as he got extra bounce from the wicket to get the better of Rassie van der Dussen (1), Dwaine Pretorius (20) and Heinrich Klassen (29).
Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/21) too bowled with a lot of heart.
