The Team India produced a clinical all-round performance in the third T20 International against South Africa at Dharamsala, securing a comfortable seven-wicket victory and moving ahead 2-1 in the five-match series. After opting to bowl first, the Indian bowlers dominated proceedings, setting up an easy chase for the hosts.
South Africa Struggle Against Disciplined Indian Bowling
Batting first, South Africa never managed to gain momentum as wickets kept falling at regular intervals. Apart from captain Aiden Markram, who showed resistance in the middle, the Proteas batters failed to adapt to the conditions.
Markram anchored the innings with a composed knock, mixing caution with timely aggression. However, a lack of support from the other end meant South Africa were eventually bowled out for a modest total of 117 inside their full quota of overs.
India’s bowling attack worked in unison, with both pace and spin making a strong impact. Early breakthroughs ensured South Africa were always playing catch-up, while tight middle-over spells prevented any recovery.
Key Bowling Performers for India
- Arshdeep Singh delivered an economical spell with crucial breakthroughs
- Varun Chakravarthy troubled batters with variations
- Kuldeep Yadav maintained pressure through the middle overs
- Harshit Rana impressed with control and bounce
India Cruise to Target Without Pressure
Chasing a small target, India approached the innings with confidence and clarity. The openers ensured a steady start, while Abhishek Sharma took the attacking route to remove any doubt early in the chase.
His quick scoring reduced the required run rate significantly, allowing the middle order to play freely. With wickets in hand, India crossed the finish line in under 16 overs, sealing the match convincingly.
The South African bowlers tried to apply pressure but found little assistance, as Indian batters rotated strike effectively and punished loose deliveries.
Match Score Highlights
| Team | Score | Overs |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 117 all out | 20.0 |
| India | 120/3 | 15.5 |
Top Performers
| Category | Player | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Top Scorer (SA) | Aiden Markram | 61 (46 balls) |
| Top Scorer (IND) | Abhishek Sharma | 35 (18 balls) |
| Best Bowler | Arshdeep Singh | 2/13 (4 overs) |
Series Situation
With this win, India now hold a 2-1 advantage in the series and carry strong momentum heading into the remaining matches. South Africa, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly and address their batting concerns to stay alive in the contest.
Score Brief Summary
India: 120/3 (15.5 overs)
Abhishek Sharma 35 (18), Shubman Gill 28 (28);
Marco Jansen 1/24, Lungi Ngidi 1/23
South Africa: 117 all out (20 overs)
Aiden Markram 61 (46), Donovan Ferreira 20 (15);
Arshdeep Singh 2/13, Varun Chakravarthy 2/11
Result: India won by 7 wickets
