India defeated South Africa by 78 runs in the third and final ODI at Boland Park in Paarl on Thursday, December 21, 2023, to seal the three-match series 2-1. Sanju Samson scored a brilliant century and Arshdeep Singh took four wickets to lead India to a convincing victory.
Samson’s maiden ODI ton lifts India to 296
India, who won the toss and opted to bat first, got off to a shaky start as they lost Shikhar Dhawan and Shreyas Iyer in quick succession. KL Rahul and Sanju Samson then steadied the innings with a 97-run partnership for the third wicket. Rahul fell for 46, but Samson continued his assault on the South African bowlers, reaching his maiden ODI hundred in 108 balls. He was well supported by Suryakumar Yadav, who made a quickfire 45 off 31 balls. India finished with a formidable total of 296 for 8 in 50 overs. Samson remained unbeaten on 108, while Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje took two wickets each for South Africa.
Arshdeep, Chahal, and Bumrah dismantle South Africa’s chase
South Africa’s chase never got going as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Arshdeep Singh, who was playing his second ODI, struck in his first over, removing Janneman Malan for 15. He then dismissed Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram in his second and third overs, reducing South Africa to 26 for 3. Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen tried to rebuild the innings with a 67-run stand for the fourth wicket, but Yuzvendra Chahal broke the partnership by trapping de Kock lbw for 34. Klaasen fought on with a gritty 52, but he ran out of partners as India’s bowlers kept taking wickets. Arshdeep returned to claim his fourth scalp, getting rid of Klaasen in the 25th over. Jasprit Bumrah then wrapped up the innings by bowling Marco Jansen for 14. South Africa were bowled out for 218 in 45.5 overs, handing India a comfortable win. Arshdeep finished with figures of 4 for 37, while Chahal and Bumrah took two wickets each.
Samson named Player of the Match and Series
Sanju Samson was named the Player of the Match and the Player of the Series for his outstanding performance with the bat. He scored 208 runs in three matches at an average of 104 and a strike rate of 95.41. He also became the first Indian wicketkeeper-batsman to score a century in South Africa in ODIs.
India end South Africa tour on a high
India ended their tour of South Africa on a high note, winning the ODI series 2-1 after losing the Test series 2-0. They will now return home to host England for three Tests, five ODIs, and three T20Is, starting from January 5, 2024. South Africa, on the other hand, will travel to Australia for three Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is, starting from January 12, 2024.
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