Sanju Samson’s maiden century and Arshdeep Singh’s four-wicket haul give Team India a 78-run victory over South Africa, clinching the ODI series 2-1
Samson’s measured 108 (114 balls) and Tilak Varma’s patient 52 (77 balls), his maiden fifty in this format, led India to a challenging 296 for eight. Their 116-run partnership for an adventurous fourth wicket stand was a joy to see.
South Africa posed a threat to the tourists with a fifty by Tony de Zorzi (81, 87 balls), but were finally bowled out for 218 in 45.5 overs. Arshdeep Singh, a left-arm pacer, led the Indian bowlers with four for 30.South Africa had a strong start to their chase, with De Zorzi and Reeza Hendricks (19) combining 59 runs in just 8.2 overs, as the former took a heavy toll on bowler Mukesh Kumar in the power play.
Arshdeep, on the other hand, drew an edge from Hendricks to activate KL Rahul behind the wickets, effectively ending the opening partnership. Axar Patel, left-arm spinner, dismissed Rassie van der Dussen with a delivery that came up his arm, reducing the hosts to 76 for 2.
However, it came after a period of steadiness in which De Zorzi and captain Aiden Markram (36) put on 65 runs for the third wicket to keep India at bay. De Zorzi’s footwork was crisp, and he effectively used the depth of the crease to amass runs, particularly against spinners Axar and Washington Sundar.
But, just as the combination was blossoming, Washington, who had come in for Kuldeep Yadav for this match, knocked Markram out. Rahul snatched the ballooning ball behind the wicket as Markram attempted to reverse sweep Washington. South Africa’s chances of adding flesh to the pursuit were boosted even further when Arshdeep won a leg-before appeal against De Zorzi through the DRS.The left-armer sliced the ball into the Protea opener, and the low-ball thudded onto his front pad as the Indian camp protested, resulting in the desired result. Heinrich Klaasen (21, 22 balls) was unable to negotiate an ascending ball from pacer Avesh Khan, which he played with heavy hands.
In the 33rd over, Sai Sudharsan completed a stunning acrobatic catch inside the ring to eliminate Klaasen, reducing the Proteas to 174 for five. Even David Miller could not bring South Africa past the target as the asking rate gradually increased.
Previously, Samson had found the ideal sidekick in Varma to put India in a strong position. Samson and Varma teamed up when India was struggling at 101 for three after being asked to bat first.
However, the couple displayed exceptional situational awareness and accurately predicted the conditions. Their collaboration was all about pragmatism but never passing up an opportunity to make a big shot.
Normally a free-flowing hitter, Samson put his machismo on hold for the majority of his innings, focusing on singles and doubles as the Boland Park deck had a small bite to it. However, the right-hander flashed his T20 avatar when he hammered quick Nandre Burger for a six over mid-wicket or when he executed a beautiful inside-out loft over cover off left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj for a four.
His fifty came from 66 balls, with a single off pacer Beuran Hendricks to third man. Varma, on the other hand, struggled for flow, finding a boundary only in his 39th ball, a scratchy pull off Hendricks.
However, the left-hander joined Samson in leading India out of the woods. Finally, Varma failed in his attempt to accelerate, a mistimed sweep off Maharaj ending in Wiaan Mulder’s hands in the deep.
But Samson persisted, determined not to be denied a hundred. For him, the watershed moment came when he pushed Maharaj to long-off for a single.
But Samson was disqualified when a skier off pacer Lizaad Williams was caught by Reeza Hendricks within the rings. However, a strong cameo by Rinku Singh (38 off 27 balls) aided India’s late-inning surge. But, before India’s comeback, the Proteas bowlers had them on the ropes.
Debutant Rajat Patidar, who replaced injured opener Ruturaj Gaikwad, was a joy to witness during his 16-ball 22. Burger’s exquisite in-dipper that disturbed the stumps ended his stay, and Hendricks trapped Sai Sudharsan in front of the wicket with a delivery slanted into him from above the wicket.
Rahul assisted Samson in adding 52 runs for the third wicket, but the Indian captain’s attempt to pull Mulder culminated in a catch to stumper Klaasen as the ball deflected off his thigh pads.However, India found two willing warriors in Samson and Varma to find a way to win the series.
