Our Bureau
Boland Park (SA)
Sanju Samson’s wonderfully paced ton and Rinku Singh’s powerful cameo followed by Arshdeep Singh’s blistering spell helped India clinch a three-match ODI series against South Africa, registering a 78 runs win over Proteas in the third match here at Boland Park on Thursday.
Tony de Zorzi scored the highest for South Africa with 81 off 87 while captain Aiden Markram played a knock of 36 runs. For India Arshdeep Singh was the main destructor, as he bagged 4 wickets conceding just 30 runs while Washington Sundar returned with a figure of 2-38.
After India’s commanding victory in the series-opener, Proteas turned the tables around and registered an 8-wicket win in the second ODI at Gqeberha, however, Men in Blue made a stunning comeback in the series decider to win the third and final ODI by 78 runs.
This is the second time India defeated Proteas at their home in a bilateral series before this Men in Blue registered a 5-1 series victory over South Africa in 2018. With this win, KL Rahul became only the second Indian captain to win an ODI series in South Africa after Virat Kohli (2018).
Chasing a target of 297, South Africa got off to a flying start as openers Reeza Hendricks and Tony de Zorzi slammed India bowlers all around the ground. The opening duo stitched up 50 runs partnership before Arshdeep Singh stuck in the 9th over and bagged the wicket of well-set batter Reeza Hendricks 19 off 24 deliveries.
The right-handed batter Rassie van der Dussen then came out to bat however his stay was cut short by Axar Patel. Rassie went back to the pavilion after scoring just 2 runs.
Captain Aiden Markram then came out to bat and helped a well-set opener slamming Indian bowlers all around the ground.
Tony and Markram took their team’s total past 100 runs in the 21st over. Washington Sundar Washington got the much-needed breakthrough as South Africa captain Markram was caught behind by KL Rahul.
Arshdeep removed dangerous batter Tony de Zorzi, giving India hope for victory after South Africa racked up 161/4 in 29.4 overs. Tony went back to the pavilion after playing a stunning knock of 81 off 87 balls.
Sai Sudharsan took a stunning flying catch off Avesh Khan to dismiss Heinrich Klaasen for 21.
David Miller and Keshav Maharaj then tried to handle the charge. Mukesh Kumar in the 38th over removed Miller for 10 runs.
Arshdeep then struck again to claim his fourth wicket of the match as he removed Lizaad Williams for 2, leaving SA tottering at 216/9 in 44.1 overs.
South Africa batters flattered against Indian bowlers handing Men in Blue a 78 runs victory.
Earlier, a maiden ODI century by wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson and a half-century by Tilak Varma helped India post a competitive 296/8 in the third ODI against South Africa at Paarl on Thursday.
After India’s commanding victory in the series-opener, Proteas turned the tables around and registered an 8-wicket win in the second ODI at Gqeberha, however, Men in Blue made a stunning comeback in the series decider to win the third and final ODI by 78 runs.
This is the second time India defeated Proteas at their home in a bilateral series before this Men in Blue registered a 5-1 series victory over South Africa in 2018. With this win, KL Rahul became only the second Indian captain to win an ODI series in South Africa after Virat Kohli (2018).
“Sanju has been phenomenal…”: KL Rahul
After India clinched an ODI series victory against South Africa, captain KL Rahul hailed the performance of Player of the Match Sanju Samson for his outstanding century against Proteas and said that he is pleased to see the batter perform well against Proteas even though he hasn’t got a lot of chances at the top of the batting order.
“Sanju has been a phenomenal performer in the IPL, unfortunately, hasn’t got a lot of chances at the top of the order for various reasons but nice to see him do well today,” KL Rahul said in a post-match presentation.
“Always love being around the boys. Nice to get back on the cricket field after a disappointing world cup. Have played with a lot of them in the IPL, nice to get out here and play with them. Usually my message is to always enjoy the game, to give your best and not worry about the rest. They’re great cricketers but few of them haven’t played internationally so it’s about giving them some time to adjust. It’s about making their roles clear and they all gave their 100% so nothing more I can ask,” Rahul added.
Will be fun to bowl with Shami, Mohit: Umesh
Indian pacer Umesh Yadav said that it will be fun to bowl for Gujarat Titans (GT) in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) with teammates Mohammed Shami and Mohit Sharma, with whom he formed the pace attack duing Cricket World Cup in 2015.
Umesh Yadav as sold to Gujarat Titans (GT) for Rs 5.8 crore after bidding competition with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL auction in Dubai on Tuesday.
“It has been quite a while since Shami, Mohit Sharma and me were part of the 2015 World Cup squad. Those memories are coming back. The way Shami is bowling now, I feel we will have a lot of fun. We have had a partnership with the red ball and I feel he will be bowling with the new ball. So, we will have to work on strategies for the middle overs,” Umesh said on JioCinema.
Umesh has taken 12 wickets for India in nine T20Is. Overall in his short-format career, Umesh has taken 193 wickets in 186 matches, with the best figures of 5/18.
Talking about getting picked by one-time champion GT, Umesh said he is excited to work with coach Ashish Nehra.
“My recent experiences at the auction have been quite bad because I went unsold in the first two rounds and was picked only in the third round in 2022. But I am very happy now. The main thing for me was to get picked. I know all the teams were looking out for Indian fast bowlers, so I knew I would go somewhere, but to go to a team where Ashish Nehra is the coach is great. I have worked with him previously and know the way he trains players and the way he manages the atmosphere in the dressing room,” he said.
“Still on recovery to 100 per cent…”: Rishabh Pant
Star Indian wicketkeeper-batter and Delhi Capitals Rishabh Pant said that he is still on his way to recovering 100 per cent from the injuries sustained during a car accident last year and he will be fully fit hopefully within next few months.
Pant was in Dubai for the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction in Dubai on Tuesday.
“I think [I am] much better [compared to] what I was doing a few months ago. Still on recovery to 100 per cent, but hopefully, in a few months I will be able to do that. It has been really amazing because whenever we are playing, we feel no one loves us. After all, there is always pressure and so many things. Yes, it is a hard time but I came to know people love us, respect us and the kind of appreciation and concern people have shown over a while because of my injury,” Pant said in a video posted by his franchise on social media, according to ESPNCricinfo.
Pant also said that the love of fans and supporters means a lot to him as he continues to go towards 100 per cent fitness.
“It was heartfelt – crazy for me – because it means a lot as an individual when you are going through a very rough time. It is not only physical [recovery], it is mentally also and if your supporters and the people support you and love you, it means a lot, and it really helps in recovery,” he said.
The wicketkeeper-batter also expressed that he was “lucky to be alive” following the accident. “The kind of accident I had, [I am] lucky to be alive,” he said.
Delhi Capitals expect Pant to be fully fit by February end and return to the next IPL season as a captain. It is not confirmed though if he will return as a wicketkeeper-batter or a specialist batter. But the franchise will be happy to have Pant back in the team, leading it and batting.
Because the automobile accident tore ligaments in his right knee, Pant was unable to play any cricket in 2023. He has since had his ligaments successfully repaired, and he has been undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). He has uploaded videos in recent months that appear to indicate that his recuperation is proceeding as expected.
