India beat South Africa to seal three-match ODI series

VISAKHAPATNAM (Web Desk) - Yashasvi Jaiswal's unbeaten 116 eclipsed Quinton de Kock's century as India crushed South Africa by nine wickets in the third and final ODI of the home series here at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Put into bat first, the touring side could accumulate 270 before getting bowled out in 47.5 overs despite de Kock's blistering century.

South Africa got off to a dismal start to their innings as Arshdeep Singh got Ryan Rickelton caught behind in the first over with just one run on the board.

Following the early stutter, captain Temba Bavuma joined de Kock in the middle, and the duo anchored South Africa's innings with a 113-run partnership before the former fell victim to Ravindra Jadeja in the 21st over.

Bavuma remained a notable run-getter for South Africa with a 67-ball 48, laced with five boundaries.

The left-handed opener was then involved in another crucial partnership for South Africa when he added 54 runs for the third wicket with Matthew Breetzke, who made a 23-ball 24 before being trapped lbw by Prasidh Krishna in the 29th over.

South Africa then lost another wicket in the same over when Aiden Markram fell for a three-ball one.

The touring side sustained a decisive blow to their batting charge in the 33rd over when Krishna cleaned up their batting mainstay Quinton de Kock, who remained the top-scorer with 106 off 89 deliveries, comprising eight fours and six sixes.

Following his dismissal, South Africa lost wickets at regular intervals and were eventually bowled out for a below-par total in the 48th over.

Krishna and Kuldeep co-led India's bowling charge by taking four wickets each, while Arshdeep and Jadeja chipped in with one scalp apiece.

In response, India made a light work of the 271-run target as they chased it down for the loss of just one wicket and 61 balls to spare.

Young opener Jaiswal led India's bowling charge with an unbeaten century and top-scored with 116 off 121 deliveries, studded with 12 fours and two sixes. He was adjudged the Player of the Match.

He was adequately supported by the senior duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who scored 75 and 65 not out, respectively.
Keshav Maharaj remained the solitary wicket-taker for South Africa.

The victory helped India seal the three-match series 2-1 against South Africa. The two teams will now lock horns in a five-match T20I series, scheduled to run from December 9 to 19.