The third and final ODI between South Africa and India turned out to be a thriller where the hosts managed to hold nerves and defeat the visitors. With the victory, South Africa completed a whitewash over India.
Chasing 288, India lost captain KL Rahul (9) early, but Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli partnered to take India on the right track. The duo stitched a crucial partnership of 98 runs for the second wicket before Andile Phehlukwayo sent back Shikhar Dhawan for a well made 61.
Soon, Rishabh Pant threw his wicket away as India were reduced at 118/3 in 23 overs. Kohli, however, continued his good run with the bat and was looking to cruise through the much-awaited century, but another soft dismissal ended the hopes of many fans. The former India skipper top-scored for India with 65 off 84 deliveries.
Shreyas Iyer (26) and Suryakumar Yadav (39) made some contributions, but it wasn’t enough to successfully help India chase down the target. At one moment, it looked as if South Africa would win the game quite easily, but Deepak Chahar almost did the impossible down the order. The right-handed batter scored a brilliant 54 off 34 balls but failed to take his team over the finish line.
Earlier, Quinton de Kock shined with the bat for the Proteas, smashing a tremendous century. De Kock scored 124 off 130 deliveries with the help of 14 boundaries.
Apart from de Kock, middle-order batter Rassie van der Dussen chipped in with a valuable 52 off 59 as South Africa posted 287/10 in 49.5 overs.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
🚨 RESULT | #PROTEAS WON BY 4 RUNS
An absolute nail-biter to end a fantastic #BetwayODISeries and tour🤩
Thank you @BCCI for an amazing series during a chaotic time👏 we looking forward to seeing you again soon😬 #SAvIND #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/4QK5uMWTDH
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) January 23, 2022
🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
— Anrich Nortje (@AnrichNortje02) January 23, 2022
#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/RyHYoaCfap
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) January 23, 2022
Deepak Chahar and Shardul Thakur are the kind of players India need to be looking for. People who genuinely contribute two ways.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 23, 2022
This SA tour began with India at 117/0 straightaway, and from there it was a completely different tour.
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) January 23, 2022
Chahar was only a couple of hits away from winning the match and the Player of the Match award. He’s shown that batting isn’t just about the ability to play shots but about the temperament to understand and play the situation. Never say die attitude stands out every time…
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 23, 2022
India is yet to win a cricket match in 2022!
Today was their fifth successive loss, across all formats, on this tour in Jan 2022- Test, Test, ODI, ODI, ODI
The last time this happened was in New Zealand in Feb 2020 – ODI, ODI, ODI, Test, Test#IndvSA #INDvsSA #SAvIND #SAvsIND— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 23, 2022
Deepak Chahar’s valiant effort goes in vain.
Scorecard: https://t.co/1WNEQhAHWZ#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/WA3lVDXGDs— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 23, 2022
🇿🇦 have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat 😞💔
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) January 23, 2022
All over at Cape Town! 😢😭
South Africa win by 4 wickets and take the series 3-0 👏#SAvIND #SaddaPunjab
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) January 23, 2022
That’s that from the final ODI. South Africa win by 4 runs and take the series 3-0.
Scorecard – https://t.co/dUN5jhH06v #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/lqrMH4g0U9
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 23, 2022
India’s tour of South Africa 2021-22 summary. pic.twitter.com/beigQv24Bl
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) January 23, 2022