India registered a remarkable comeback in the three-match ODI series as they beat South Africa by 78 runs on Thursday, December 21 at Boland Park, Paarl. After being put in to bat first, India posted 296/8 in their allotted 20 overs. In reply, South Africa were bundled out for 218 in 45.5 overs . As a result, India won their second ODI series in South Africa winning by a margin of 2-1.
The Proteas got off to a good start in their chase as openers Reeza Hendricks (19 off 24) and Tony de Zorzi (81 off 87) added 59 runs for the first wicket. Arshdeep Singh got the first strike for India dismissing Henricks in the ninth over while Axar Patel got rid of Rassie van der Dussen (2 off 17) to leave South Africa on 76/2.
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After the two quick-blows, Zorzi and Markram (36 off 41) added 65 runs for the third wicket off 67 balls. Washington Sundar didn’t let the duo extend their partnership as he got rid of Markram in the 26th over while Arshdeep got the big scalp of Zorzi in the 30th over.
Heinrich Klaasen (21 off 22), Wiaan Mulder (1 off 3) and David Miller (10 off 20) were also dismissed quickly leaving South Africa in all sorts of trouble at 192/7 after 38 overs.
Sanju Samson scored his maiden ODI hundred
Earlier in the day, India lost both their openers with Rajat Patidar (22 off 16) and Sai Sudharsan (10 off 16) with just 49 runs on the board in 7.3 overs. Captain KL Rahul (21 off 35) also departed cheaply after adding 52 runs for the third wicket Tilak Varma off 68 balls leaving India on 101/3 after 18.5 overs.
Also Read: Twitter erupts as Sanju Samson scores maiden ODI century in series decider against Proteas
Sanju Samson walked in at number five and stitched a massive 116-run stand with Varma (52 off 77) off 136 balls to bail India out of trouble. Samson went on to score his maiden ODI hundred scoring 108 off 114 balls with the help of six fours and three sixes. Some late flourish from Rinku Singh (38 off 27), Washington Sundar (14 off 9) and Arshdeep Singh (7 off 2) helped India reach 296/8 in their allotted 50 overs.
Meanwhile, X was abuzz with reactions on India’s win. Here are some of the posts:
SANJU SAMSON You Beauty 😍
Maiden 💯 in ODI in series decider match 🔥🔥 I hope many more to come 🙌#INDvsSA#SanjuSamsonpic.twitter.com/D55Uh02KRK
— Aman Raina (@ImRaina45) December 21, 2023
“A really emotional one, so very happy about it.” 💙#SanjuSamson was all smiles after the hard work came to fruition with his maiden ODI ton 💯
Will it be a match-winning one?
Tune-in to the 3rd #SAvIND ODI, LIVE NOW on Star Sports Network#Cricket pic.twitter.com/VXNGYdkXXk
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 21, 2023
Team India were put under pressure with both bat and ball but they responded brilliantly! Series wins in SA always extra special as they never come easy. Congratulations and well played Team India 👏🏾👏🏾 #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/9P5fqeZd60
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) December 21, 2023
Sanju❤️🫶🏻🤩 https://t.co/CD4Jjdheoa
— Sheldon Jackson (@ShelJackson27) December 21, 2023
Congratulations to @IamSanjuSamson for a spectacular maiden century against South Africa in today’s ODI match! A phenomenal display of skill and determination! 👏💯 #SanjuSamson #Cricket #ODI
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) December 21, 2023
Sanju baba 👏 @IamSanjuSamson 💯
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) December 21, 2023
It’s all over.
A historic ODI series victory in Paarl. Only the 2nd time we won a ODI series in South Africa. The young & new squad done it under skipper KL. #SAvIND #INDvsSA #CricketTwitter @BCCI
— Sports Geeez (@Sportsgeeez) December 21, 2023
Top series win, this! Well done, boys! 👏🏽#SAvIND
— Farzan Patel (@TheTipsyParsi) December 21, 2023
Arshdeep Singh in the #SAvIND ODI series
5-37
1-28
4-30
Outstanding from such a youngster so early in his career 👏 pic.twitter.com/jsL8ymnc4u
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) December 21, 2023
KL Rahul becomes only the 2nd Indian captain in history after Virat Kohli to win an ODI series in South Africa.#SAvIND #poupettekenza #DunkiReview #Dunki #EpsteinClientList #언제나세훈이편 #WinterSolstice #BabarAzam #PAKvAUS #Sanju pic.twitter.com/Fuq91cl81W
— Hafeez Khan (@hafeez_khan9) December 21, 2023
KL Rahul and Co. make history as they become the second Indian side to clinch an ODI series against South Africa in South Africa.#INDvsSA #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/2Wh2wDq0R7
— Secular Chad (@SachabhartiyaRW) December 21, 2023
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