Rampant India raze South Africa in lopsided clash to clinch ODI series

India hammered home a solid performance as they outclassed South Africa in the series decider, shooting down a formidable total of 271 with consummate ease. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s maiden ODI century sealed the deal for India with more than 10 overs to go while strong performances from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli left the visitors wounded.

Winning the toss, India opted to bowl first. Arshdeep Singh struck in his very first over, as he sent Ryan Rickelton (0) packing. However, the visitors crafted a solid resistance in the form of a century stand for the second-wicket as Temba Bavuma (48) and Quinton de Kock (106) knitted together a partnership of 113 runs.

It was Ravindra Jadeja who managed to break the partnership as he claimed the Proteas skipper’s wicket. Despite another partnership brewing between Matthew Breetzke (24) and de Kock, India landed three quick blows, removing Breetzke, Aiden Markram (1), and QDK, reducing South Africa to 199/5.

From thereon, the hosts kept on chipping away at the wickets regularly as India managed to wrap South Africa up for 270. India got hold of the last five wickets at the expense of just 71 runs. Prasidh Krishna staged a strong turnaround after copping a whacking in the first three overs, registering a four-fer. Kuldeep Yadav continued his fine form, claiming four wickets too.

India roared off to a solid start as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma hunkered down to business from the very beginning. The start was modest as both the openers waited to open up at their beastly best. Sharma (75) was the aggressor in the partnership as India switched gears in no time.

The opening duo of Sharma and Jaiswal added 155 runs within just 26 overs before Keshav Maharaj could get the only wicket of the Indian innings. Sharma hammered seven fours and three sixes en route to what was another impeccable knock in the series before falling to Maharaj.

Despite the fall of Sharma, India remained unflinching in their aggressive pursuit of the total posted. Virat Kohli (65*) came out in his dominant avatar while Yashasvi soon picked up pace en route to his first ODI century. Jaiswal nudged one to deep fine leg against Corbin Bosch in the 36th over, becoming only the sixth Indian to score a century in all three formats.

India secured a win without any fuss as they shot down the target of 271 with more than ten overs and nine wickets in hand. Yashasvi Jaiswal secured the Player of the Match award for his unbeaten ton while Virat Kohli was the Player of the Series, garnering 302 runs as the leading run-scorer of the series.