‘Second string team ne hara diya’ – Fans react as India thrash South Africa by 78 runs to win ODI series 2-1

In the third and last game of the ODI series, South Africa and India locked horns at Boland Park, Paarl. Ahead of the game, the series was leveled 1-1. Meanwhile, once again, the home team won the toss and elected to bowl first. With the ball, the Proteas had a mixed start as they were getting beaten but managed to take two wickets for 49 runs.

Sai Sudarshan, who scored two back-to-back fifties in the first two games, was trapped lbw by Beuran Hendricks for 10. At this stage, skipper KL Rahul and Sanju Samson, promoted to number three, put together 52 runs for the third wicket. The former got out unfortunately as the ball hit his thigh, and went on to brush the back of his bat before landing into Henrich Klassen’s gloves.

After this wicket, Tilak Varma (52) scored his first fifty despite struggling in the initial phase. He added another 116 runs with Samson for the fourth wicket. The latter scored his maiden international hundred. After this, Rinku Singh (38), playing his first ODI series, helped the team reach 296/8 at the end of the innings.

For the Green Brigade, Beuran Hendricks took three wickets while Nandre Burger took two. Apart from this, Lizaad Williams, Wiaan Mulder, and Keshav Maharaj took one each.

India wins their second ODI series in South Africa in five years

In reply, the former Champions Trophy winners had a great start with Reeza Hendricks and Tony de Zorzi stitching 59 runs. The former was caught behind by Rahul off Arshdeep Singh. The second wicket to fall was Rassie van der Dussen, cleaned up by Axar Patel.

At 76/2, skipper Aiden Markram and Zorzi added another 75 runs for the team. The former was going well before failing to execute the reverse sweep and going back to the pavilion. Zorzi, carrying his good form with a well-made 81, was trapped lbw by Singh. This led to a collapse from 161/3 to 192/7. In the end, the team was bowled out for 218 with Samson taking the match-winning catch.

This is how Twitter reacted