Captain Suryakumar Yadav‘s century and Kuldeep’s fifer leave South Africa in a tantrum as India wins the final T20I by 106 runs. Put into bat first Indians openers gave the team a flying start, but a twin blow from Keshav Maharaj meant Suryakumar Yadav had to deal with another tricky situation.
Suryakumar Yadav’s century and a fifty from opener Yashasvi Jaiswal helped India post a formidable total of 201 on the board. Chasing 202, South Africans were kept under check by the Indian bowlers and lost wickets under constant scoreboard pressure and eventually bundled out for just 95.
Suryakumar Yadav’s Marvelous ton
South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl first on a good batting track. Young Pacer Nandre Burger was given his debut cap with few fast bowlers rested from the final t20i. He opened the bowling for South Africa and was put under the pump straight away by the Indian batters taking 14 from the first.
Both Indian openers looked good against pace and noticing this SA skipper Markram introduced spin in the third over. This move proved to be a masterstroke as Keshav Maharaj picked 2 wickets in successive deliveries. Gill found himself on the wrong side of a umpiring decision but didn’t bother reviewing and walked away.
Coming into bat at 29-2, Suryakumar Yadav was not at his fluent best and struggled to time the ball. But Jaiswal batted well at the other end scoring at a good rate and kept the scoreboard ticking as he completed his fifty off 34 balls.
At one stage Suryakumar Yadav was batting on 25 runs off 23 balls which is a very rare sight. But as he does every time, out of nowhere he got his mojo back with a six over the extra cover off Keshav Maharaj and didn’t look back since then. He smashed Phelukwayo for 3 sixes and a four to complete his fifty and then played at top gear. The top-ranked T20I batter completed his 4th ton in the format off 55 balls helping India reach 201 in 20 overs.
South Africa crumbles in the run chase
Chasing 202, South African openers were kept silent by the Indian pacers. Mohammed Siraj started the innings with a maiden over and he was backed well by Mukesh who picked the opening wicket. Siraj troubled Reeza Hendricks with lots of plays and misses but got unlucky and eventually got him with a direct hit.
Arshdeep bowled better from the previous game and picked up the wicket of Klassen. After that spinners Jadeja and Kuldeep took over and bamboozled the South African batters. The pitch was offering a bit of bite for the spinners with some balls keeping low. India used Tilak Varma for an over which was pleasing to see. Birthday boy Kuldeep picked 5 wickets making him the first Indian spinner with multiple fifers in the T20 Internationals.
The action now shifts to the 50-over format with the first ODI set to take place at the New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg on Sunday Dec 17.