New Delhi: Headlined by Kuldeep Yadav’s four-wicket haul India beat South Africa by seven wickets in the third ODI to seal the series 2-1 here at Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday.
An impressive show from the bowlers bundled out South Africa for just 99 in 27.1 overs. In reply, India chased the target with 105/3 in under 20 overs.
This was India's 38th win across formats this year and match Australia’s tally of 38 wins in 2003 where Ricky Ponting-led side won 30 ODIs and eight Tests.
The spin trio of Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed and Kuldeep shared eight wickets between them with Kuldeep came up with a superb figure of 4/18.
Washington Sundar (2/15), Shahbaz Ahmed (2/32) and Mohammed Siraj (2/17) struck at regular intervals to break the Proteas batting line-up.
It was South Africa's lowest ODI total against India and third-lowest in the format in the deciding match of the series in Delhi.
This is the fourth time in ODI history that South Africa have bowled out for under 100, and the second time in 2022 after they were dismissed for 83 by England.
Chasing 100-run target, after the quick wickets of Shikhar Dhawan (8) and Ishan Kishan(10), Shubman Gill, who struck eight fours in his knock of 49, put up a 39-run stand with Shreyas Iyer (28*) before getting dismissed by Lungi Ngidi in the 19th over.
Iyer slammed a six in the first ball of the 20th over to help the Men in Blue seal the fifth successive series win. With a win, India equaled Australia's record for most international wins across formats in a calendar year.
Batting first, South Africa never had the momentum with only Henricch Klassen managing a 42-ball 34 as the rest collapsed.Washington struck early to remove the dangerous Quinton de Kock cheaply for 6.
Reeza Hendricks and Janneman Malan were into the rebuilding work but India kept attacking with the new ball as Mohammad Siraj continuing his fine form dismissed Janneman Malan who hits straight to Avesh Khan at deep square leg.
Siraj picked his second wicket by sending Reeza Hendricks (3) back to the hut. Hendricks went for a pull to short fine leg where Ravi Bishnoi juggles and takes the catch in the second attempt.
Shahbaz Ahmed then joined the party and dismissed Aiden Markram for 9. A couple of overs later, David Miller fell cheaply for 7 off Washington as he missed the ball and it hit the off-pole. In front of a scintillating Indian attack, South Africa were five down within 19 overs.
The Proteas were in deep trouble as they had lost five wickets with just 66 runs on board. Then, Kuldeep came into attack and he cleaned up Phehlukwayo (5) with a googly.
South Africa has not even notched three figures and were seven down. Shahbaz struck again and Klassen got clean bowled. Then it was just a matter of time before India bowled out the visitors.
In the 26th over, Kuldeep got rid of Bjorn Fortuin (1) and Anrich Nortje (0). And ended South Africa's innings in the 28th over with Jansen's wicket. (UNI)
