Team India delivered a dominant and clinical performance to secure a comprehensive seven-wicket victory against South Africa in the third T20 International at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium, Dharamshala. This commanding win allows India to take a crucial 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
Bowlers Dismantle Proteas
After winning the toss and opting to bowl first, the Indian pace attack, led by Arshdeep Singh (2/13) and the impressive young Harshit Rana (2/34), exploited the early swing conditions to perfection. South Africa suffered a nightmare start, losing both openers, Reeza Hendricks and Quinton de Kock, and Dewald Brevis to be reduced to 7/3 inside the first few overs.
- Captain Aiden Markram stood as the lone warrior for the Proteas, playing a gritty innings of 61 off 46 balls (6 fours, 2 sixes).
- However, once Markram was dismissed by Arshdeep Singh late in the innings, the rest of the batting lineup crumbled.
- The spin duo of Varun Chakravarthy (2/29) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/1) cleaned up the tail, ensuring South Africa was bowled out for a below-par total of 117 in exactly 20 overs.
- Hardik Pandya also achieved a personal milestone, picking up the wicket of Tristan Stubbs for his 100th T20I wicket.
Blistering Start Seals the Chase
Chasing a modest target of 118, the Indian openers came out firing, determined to secure the win quickly.
- Opener Abhishek Sharma launched a blistering assault in the Powerplay, smashing 35 runs off just 18 balls (3 fours, 3 sixes), providing a whirlwind start that effectively crushed South Africa's hopes.
- India reached a stunning 68/1 at the end of the Powerplay, making the chase a mere formality.
- Although a slight stutter occurred in the middle overs with the dismissals of Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill (28 off 28), and a struggling Suryakumar Yadav (12 off 11), Tilak Varma (26* off 34) and Shivam Dube (10* off 5) ensured there were no further hiccups.
- Dube finished the match in style with a six and a boundary, propelling India to 120/3 in just 15.5 overs.
The victory emphatically reverses the 51-run mauling India suffered in the second T20I in Mullanpur, setting up a thrilling finale to the series. The fourth T20I will be played in Delhi.
