Ind vs SA 3rd ODI 2023 has been a landmark for Indian cricket. It is only the 2nd time out of eight occasions that India has won a series in South Africa. Our last series win was in 2018,under the captainship of Virat Kohli. India and South Africa now play the Test series in 3 days.
SA wins the toss and elects to field at Boland Park, Paarl
The Ind vs SA 3rd ODI 2023 saw SA winning the toss and electing to bowl, perhaps taking a cue from the previous match where they restricted the Indian batters with a fine display of swing and spin bowling.
Pitch Conditions and Weather
The pitch was expected to remain consistent at the start and gradually slow down. Spinners would play a key role in the match. Fast bowlers were looking to take pace off the ball, bowl cutters in the middle, and death overs. It was hot at 35 degrees Celsius, which tested the player’s fitness levels. Thankfully, there was no rain to disrupt the match.
Debut by Rajat Patidar
The Ind vs SA 3rd ODI 2023 had the debutant Rajat Patidar starting the innings. He looked to stamp his authority on the game from the start and played a dazzling array of strokes. However, his lack of experience playing in the conditions showed when he tried to hit through the line against Burger. he made 22 in 16 balls.
Finally… Sanju Samson comes good with the bat
Sanju Samson came to bat at No. 3. Much has been written about the lack of opportunities for this fine player and how he has wasted the ones he got. He seemed well aware that this was his last chance to create an impression in this audition for the World Cup T20 2024.
He seemed determined to stick around and made a cautious start. The game slowed down in the middle overs, with Markram and Keshav Maharaj choking the runs. Sanju Samson showed his experience, and Tilak Verma showed an uncanny determination to stay on the pitch.
Maiden ODI century for Sanju Samson
The long wait for a milestone was over when Sanju Samson reached his maiden century in white-ball cricket for India. He made 108 in 114 balls with six hits to the boundary and three over it. He perished in the death overs, trying to accelerate the score.
Tilak Verma plays a gem, a cameo by Rinku Singh
Tilak Verma anchored the innings with Sanju and made 52 in 77 balls after an unusually cautious and sedate start. The entry of Rinku Singh saw feverish activity on the pitch. His fine knock of 38 in 27 balls ensured India made an imposing total of 296.
Openers make a good start
Zorzi continued his good form in the Ind vs SA 3rd ODI 2023. Along with his partner Hendricks, they gave a solid start to South Africa, scoring 59 by the 9th over before the dismissal of Hendricks.
Magic by Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep Singh has made amends for his dismal performance against Australia. In the Ind vs SA 3rd ODI 2023, he took four wickets for 30 after his matching fiver in the previous match. He got rid of the in-form Zorzi, who made a fine of 81 in 87 balls.
South Afircan batters fail to capitalize on a good start.
After a steady partnership between Zorzzi and skipped Markram, who made 36 in 41 balls, none of the SA batters showed much fight. Arshdeep steam-rolled the SA batting line-up, well supported by the Indian bowling line-up. Washington Sundar announced his return by taking two wickets for 38 runs in his ten overs.
Wickets kept falling for SA
It was easy picking for the Indian bowlers after the loss of Klaasen. They easily wrapped up the long tail and ensured a comfortable victory for India.
What’s next?
The end of Ind vs SA 3rd ODI 2023 questions what happens to the players who got an opportunity to play in the series. Sai Sudarshan, Tilak Verma, Sanju Samson, Rajat Patidar and Rinku Singh have shown they have the ”metal” to play in overseas conditions against top-quality bowling.
One hopes that the merry-go-round does not lead to these players missing out on suitable opportunities to play white-ball cricket for India.
Create a pool of 20 players
The selection committee should look to create a pool of 20 players who are good enough to represent India in the World Cup T20 2024. This will ensure that players have a clear focus on the mega event. Players free from the ambiguity of their future will be better prepared for the mega event.
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