India picked up the series decider against South Africa (Source: Associated Press)
The final ODI of the three-match series between India and South Africa in Delhi saw the hosts swat aside the visitors by seven wickets. The Men in Blue clinched the series by 2-1 with this emphatic victory.
After opting to bowl first, India reduced their counterparts to 26 for three in the blink of an eye. The decision to use Washington Sundar with the new ball worked wonders, as the wily off-spinner removed Quinton de Kock in his second over. Mohammed Siraj continued his impressive run, dismissing Janneman Malan and Reeza Hendricks with his sharp bumpers.
The visitors' miseries aggravated after the arrival of Shahbaz Ahmed and Kuldeep Yadav. None of the South African batters seemed comfortable against these two, as they kept biting the dust one by one. Heinrich Klaasen was the lone shining light for them, scoring 34 runs before being cleaned up by Shahbaz in the 25th over.
Only two Proteas batters apart from Klaasen managed double-digit scores, as they were eventually bundled out for a mere 99 in 27.1 overs. Kuldeep was the pick of the bowlers from India, scalping four wickets for 18 runs.
In reply, India got off to a flier, with Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill adding 42 runs in just 6.1 overs, before the former was run out for just eight. However, Gill kept taking all South African bowlers to the cleaners, hammering his way through to a gorgeous 57-ball 49, with the help of eight boundaries.
Shreyas Iyer played yet another blinder, scoring a quick-fire 28* with the help of three fours and two sixes. The Mumbai batter, who slammed a scintillating ton the other day, finished the game with a huge six off Marco Jansen in the 20th over.
Lungi Ngidi and Bjorn Fortuin took one wicket apiece for South Africa.
South Africa: 99 (27.1)
Heinrich Klaasen 34 (42), Janneman Malan 15 (27);
Kuldeep Yadav 4/18 (4.1), Washington Sundar 2/15 (4)
India: 105/3 (19.1)
Shubman Gill 49 (57), Shreyas Iyer 28* (23);
Bjorn Fortuin 1/20 (4), Lungi Ngidi 1/21 (5)
India won by seven wickets and clinched the series by 2-1.
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