The 3rd ODI match between South Africa and India was an entertaining contest filled with fluent batting, steady partnerships, and disciplined powerplay control for both teams. Though both sides showed great intent, India's consistent partnerships in their chase proved to be the difference while they moved towards the target comfortably.

South Africa Innings

South Africa had a decent start, reaching 42/1 in the first powerplay. The innings momentum was gathered as Quinton de Kock played a spectacular knock, taking on the Indian bowling with clean hitting.

De Kock reached his half-century in just 42 balls, striking 4 fours and 4 sixes. He got some good support from the skipper Temba Bavuma as both of them stitched 50 runs off 58 balls for the second wicket. South Africa crossed the 100-run mark in 18.6 overs, maintaining a healthy rate of boundaries.

The partnership thus grew to 100 runs off 111 balls, with good rotation of strike and timely aggression. Another valuable stand was for the third wicket, with de Kock and Breetzke sharing a 50-run partnership in quick time from 39 balls.

De Kock continued his dominance, reaching a brilliant century off 80 balls, powered by 8 fours and 6 sixes. However, wickets fell regularly at the other end, slowing South Africa’s progress in the middle overs.

They were 199/5 in 32.5 overs at the second drinks break. The batting side crossed 250 in 41.6 overs, but disciplined bowling from India in the death overs restricted them effectively.

South Africa lost their last wickets in quite a hurry and were bowled out for 270 in 47.5 overs, with Keshav Maharaj contributing a valuable 20 at the end.

India Innings

Chasing 271, India got off to a confident start with a solid opening partnership. The openers managed to put 48 runs in the first powerplay without losing a wicket, setting the tone for the chase.

India reached 50 in 10.1 overs, with both its openers-Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal-looking in full control. The 50-run stand came in 61 balls as they had kept a steady approach before shifting gears.

Rohit Sharma reached his fifty in 54 balls while India crossed 100 in 19.4 overs. The openers continued to dominate as they completed a 100-run partnership in 118 balls and later extended it to 150 runs in 150 balls.

Jaiswal played maturely to reach his fifty off 75 balls, and soon after that, he accelerated towards a well-deserved century in 111 balls.

After Rohit’s departure, Virat Kohli joined Jaiswal to keep the scoreboard ticking. Kohli played fluently, reaching his fifty in just 40 balls, mixing boundaries with excellent running between the wickets.

The duo then went on to add 50 runs off 48 balls for the second wicket, and later extended it to 100 runs off 78 balls as India remained in complete control during the chase.

India crossed 200 in 32.6 overs and later 250 in 38.2 overs, inching toward the target with ease. The superb partnership between Jaiswal and Kohli made for a commanding chase full of professionalism and elegance.

Summary

South Africa: 270 all out (47.5 overs)

Quinton de Kock – 100 (80)

Strong partnerships early but collapsed in the final 10 overs

India: Dominant chase led by

Yashasvi Jaiswal – 100 (111)

Rohit Sharma – 74

Virat Kohli – 50 (40)

It was a comfortable chase with massive 150 and 100-run stands.

The game witnessed quality batting from both sides, but the disciplined chasing and steady partnerships powered India to a strong position, while South Africa fell short in the final phase of their innings. If you wa