New Delhi: India defeated South Africa by nine wickets in the third ODI at the YS Rajasekhar Reddy Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Saturday, sealing the three-match series 2-1. After winning the toss, India opted to bowl and restricted the visitors to 270 runs.
For South Africa, Dr Quinton de Kock scored a century, while skipper Temba Bavuma made 48. Dewald Brevis (29) and Matthew Breetzke (24) added brief contributions as the team finished at 270. Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna were the standout performers with the ball, picking up four wickets each.
Chasing 271, India got off to a commanding start with an opening partnership of 155 runs between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma. Rohit scored 75, registering his first fifty of the series. Jaiswal went on to hit his maiden ODI century off 111 balls. Virat Kohli then accelerated the chase with a quick half-century off just 40 balls.
Kohli sealed the win in the 40th over by hitting two consecutive fours off Lungi Ngidi. Keshav Maharaj claimed the only wicket for South Africa.
With this comprehensive victory, India secured the ODI series 2-1. South Africa had earlier chased down 359 in the second match to level the series. The two teams will now meet in a five-match T20I series starting on December 9. South Africa have already clinched the Test series 2-0.
