After the series being level pegging in the 2nd ODI, the decider commenced at Delhi. India won the toss and elected to field first on a conventionally slow Delhi wicket. The South African innings had an underwhelming start with all of the top order struggling to get going. The Indian bowlers were on the money with their lengths and barely gave away any looseners in the first powerplay. Janneman Malan was looking impressive but then mistimed one straight to the deep square leg fence. The short ball seemed to be doing the job for the Indians as Hendricks fell soon after courtesy a Siraj bouncer.
The spinners then took advantage of the conditions as Shahbaz Ahmad chipped in with a peach of a delivery to Markram, pitching on middle and off, gripping and hitting the top of off, a spinners delight. Miller was then dismissed with a wonderfully executed arm-ball from Washington Sundar, beating the inside edge and cleaning Miller up, much to his bemusement. The spinners were on fire as Kuldeep Yadav’s wrong-un cramped Phehlukwayo for room and he chopped it onto the pegs. It was all downhill for South Africa from there as Klaasen, Fortuin, Nortje and Jansen fell in quick succession as the side bundled out for a measly 99. Kuldeep ended with figures of 4.1-1-18-4.
India in reply looked dominant and aggressive as they were going at seven an over in the first six overs. Dhawan and Gill were timing the ball with ease. It almost looked as if India were batting on a different strip as Gill was in complete control of his drives, cuts and pulls. A mix-up resulted in Dhawan being run out but Gill looked in sublime touch. Ishan Kishan was dismissed early as well. Iyer continued where he left off in Ranchi, with some authoritative blows against the Proteas spinners. Gill unfortunately fell one short of a fifty, but India cruised home with an incredible six over long off, with 7 wickets to spare.
India clinched the three match ODI series 2-1 and will be happy with the comeback after a sedate start. The fact that India’s second best One Day eleven is also capable of winning a series against a decent SA side is a good sign for India going into the Fifty Over World Cup next year.
-Vibhor Dubey
The Average Cricketer 