IND vs SA / India Dominates South Africa by 9 Wickets to Clinch ODI Series 2-1; Jaiswal's Maiden Century, Kuldeep-Prasidh Shine

In a decisive third One Day International (ODI) held at the Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy Stadium in Visakhapatnam, India delivered a dominant performance, defeating South Africa by 9 wickets to clinch the three-match series 2-1. This victory was particularly significant for the home side, coming after South Africa had previously won the Test series 2-0 and successfully chased a formidable target of 359 runs in the second ODI. The match saw exceptional individual performances, with young sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal scoring his maiden. ODI century, while bowlers Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna wreaked havoc, claiming four wickets each. Indian captain won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that proved to be strategically sound. South Africa, batting first, was restricted to a total of 270 runs, being bowled out in 47. 5 overs.

The highlight of their innings was a brilliant century by opener Quinton de Kock, who scored 106 runs, providing a much-needed anchor for his team, while captain Temba Bavuma also contributed Importantly with 48 runs, forging a crucial 114-run partnership for the second wicket with de Kock. Other notable contributions came from Dewald Brevis (29 runs) and Matthew Breetzke (24 runs). Marco Jansen added 17 runs and Corbin Bosch scored 9, while Keshav Maharaj remained unbeaten on 20. Despite the strong partnership between de Kock and Bavuma, the Indian bowlers managed to pull things back effectively, preventing South Africa from setting a much larger target.

Indian Bowlers' Clinical Performance

The Indian bowling attack was clinical, with Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna leading the charge. Both bowlers delivered exceptional spells, each bagging four wickets to dismantle the South African batting lineup. Kuldeep Yadav, with his deceptive spin, consistently troubled the batsmen, while Prasidh Krishna's pace and accurate line and length proved to be highly effective. Their combined effort ensured that South Africa couldn't capitalize on the strong start provided by de Kock and Bavuma, ultimately restricting them to a manageable total below 300. The disciplined bowling performance was a key factor in India's ability to control the flow of runs and pick up wickets at regular intervals.

India's Strong Start to the Chase

Chasing a target of 271 runs, India got off to a flying start thanks to a formidable opening partnership between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma. The duo put on a magnificent 155-run stand for the first wicket, laying a solid foundation for the chase. Rohit Sharma scored his first fifty of the series, contributing 75 runs off 73 balls, including 7 fours and 3 sixes. During his innings, Rohit also achieved a significant milestone, completing 20,000 runs in international cricket. His aggressive yet composed batting set the tone for the chase,. Allowing Jaiswal to play his natural game and build his innings confidently.

Yashasvi Jaiswal's Maiden ODI Hundred

After Rohit Sharma's dismissal, Yashasvi Jaiswal continued his brilliant batting display. He reached his maiden ODI century off 111 balls, showcasing maturity and excellent stroke play. Jaiswal remained unbeaten on 116 runs from 121 balls, an innings studded with 12 fours and 2 sixes. This century wasn't only a personal milestone for the young left-hander but also a match-winning performance in a crucial series decider. His ability to maintain composure under pressure and accelerate when needed was instrumental in India's successful chase.

Virat Kohli's Consistent Brilliance

Joining Jaiswal at the crease after Rohit's departure, Virat Kohli continued his superb form in the series. He quickly brought up his fifty off just 40 balls and forged an unbroken 116-run partnership for the second wicket with Jaiswal. Kohli finished unbeaten on 65 runs from 45 balls, hitting 6 fours and 3 sixes. This marked his fourth consecutive 50+ score, highlighting his consistent brilliance. Kohli sealed the victory for India in style, hitting two consecutive fours off Lungi Ngidi in the 40th over. His presence ensured that India cruised to the target without any further hiccups. Keshav Maharaj was the only South African bowler to pick up a wicket, dismissing Rohit Sharma.

Series Victory and Future Engagements

With this commanding 9-wicket win in the third ODI, India successfully clinched the three-match ODI series 2-1. The series victory is a significant morale booster for the Indian team, especially after the loss in the second match. India showcased a well-rounded performance in both batting and bowling departments. The two teams are now set to face each other in a five-match T20I series, which is scheduled to begin on December 9th. This win sets a strong precedent for India as they head into the shorter format of the game.