Sanju Samson (108) did justice to his abilities and recorded his maiden international hundred. The bowlers struck at regular intervals. And all that combined well to help India prevail over South Africa by 78 runs in the final ODI at Boland Park in Paarl on Thursday and clinch the series 2-1.
This was India’s second ODI series win on South African soil, with the first coming in 2018 under the captaincy of Virat Kohli. This young side led by KL Rahul does deserve credit.
Shot selection has been a major issue for Samson. On Thursday though he did away with that habit of his. Being patient right through, Samson churned out a fine 114-ball innings that propelled India to 296/8 after they were put in.
This was a timely innings as well from Samson as it should keep him in Team India’s scheme of things for the time being at least.
South Africa, in reply, raced to 59 without loss in the ninth over, courtesy the in-form Tony de Zorzi (81). But Arshdeep Singh (4/30), getting the ball to nip around a little bit with some swing, gave India the breakthroughs when they mattered. Standing tall with the ball, the left-arm quick took the vital scalp of De Zorzi, trapping the left-hander lbw when he was eyeing a second straight century.
That indeed was a critical phase of the game.
Off-spinner all-rounder Washington Sundar (2/38), replacing Kuldeep Yadav, also bowled a tight line and length and scalped the crucial wicket of Proteas skipper Aiden Markram. Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar chipped in as well to dismiss big-hitters Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller, respectively, as South Africa were all out for 218 in 45.5 overs.
Earlier, six boundaries and three maximums featured in Samson’s knock that was crucial to India getting past 250. Rinku Singh too did well to give India the kind of finish they needed.
But if not for Samson’s contribution, India could have fallen short of even a fighting total, especially after losing openers Rajat Patidar (replacing Ruturaj Gaikwad, who hurt his ring finger in the previous ODI) and Sai Sudharsan along with captain Rahul with only 101 in the 19th over.
After a scratchy start, Tilak Varma (52) turned out to be a good assist for Samson in their 116-run fourth-wicket stand. Varma also brought up his first-ever ODI fifty.
