"Tight slap for those doubting Yuzi Chahal"- Fans erupt as Yuzvendra Chahal spins a web to keep India alive in IND vs SA 2022 T20Is

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Yuzvendra Chahal's crucial wickets in middle-overs set up India's victory. (P.C.:BCCI)

After two ordinary performances, Yuzvendra Chahal came roaring back in the third T20I against South Africa in Vizag on June 14 to hand India a comprehensive win. The leg-spinner picked up match-winning figures of 3/20 as South Africa fell 48 runs short of India's total, getting bowled out for 131.

India's bowling has been criticized in this series as they haven't been able to close games with the ball. But Chahal and Harshal Patel led from the front in clinical performances and picked up seven wickets between them to ensure South Africa's hopes of winning the series tonight itself were punctured.

Fans on Twitter hailed Yuzvendra Chahal for proving his critics wrong and showing why he should arguably be one of the first names on the team sheet in the T20 World Cup.

Here are some of the reactions:

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Wasim Jaffer

@WasimJaffer14

My player of the match would be @yuzi_chahal. Broke the back of SA middle order. 4-0-20-3, conceded just one boundary. Super stuff 🏽 #INDvSA

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My player of the match would be @yuzi_chahal. Broke the back of SA middle order. 4-0-20-3, conceded just one boundary. Super stuff 👏🏽 #INDvSA https://t.co/7mAdwebrQT

Mufaddal Vohra

@mufaddal_vohra

What a spell by Yuzvendra Chahal - 3/20 in 4 overs with the wickets of Pretorius, Rassie and Klaasen. A champion spell by Yuzi, great comeback!

922

40

What a spell by Yuzvendra Chahal - 3/20 in 4 overs with the wickets of Pretorius, Rassie and Klaasen. A champion spell by Yuzi, great comeback!

Prashanth S

@ps_it_is

Crazy if you are making Indian XIs for WT20 without having Yuzvendra Chahal locked in as first choice spinner. Has had his share of poor games at times but easily the standout selection at this point in that race.

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Crazy if you are making Indian XIs for WT20 without having Yuzvendra Chahal locked in as first choice spinner. Has had his share of poor games at times but easily the standout selection at this point in that race.

12th Khiladi

@12th_khiladi

'Drop Gaikwad!'
Gaikwad - 57 at a strike rate of 163

'Drop Chahal!'
Chahal - 4-0-19-3

'Drop Axar!'
Axar - 4-0-28-1

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'Drop Gaikwad!'
Gaikwad - 57 at a strike rate of 163

'Drop Chahal!'
Chahal - 4-0-19-3

'Drop Axar!'
Axar - 4-0-28-1

Abhinandan

@Abhinandan673

Meanwhile India going to bounce back in the series today ...Chahal looking really good today... South Africa 's inns have just not taken off in this game

10

Meanwhile India going to bounce back in the series today 👌👌👌...Chahal looking really good today... South Africa 's inns have just not taken off in this game

Subhayan Chakraborty

@CricSubhayan

A good comeback by Yuzvendra Chahal. Got his length and speed/flight right today and reaping rewards!

#INDvSA twitter.com/CricSubhayan/s…

Subhayan Chakraborty

@CricSubhayan

Yuzvendra Chahal was either too full (when he looped it) or too short and flat (when he upped the pace). Two matches on the trot that he has been wayward. Need to step up.

#INDvSA

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Yuzvendra Chahal was either too full (when he looped it) or too short and flat (when he upped the pace). Two matches on the trot that he has been wayward. Need to step up.

#INDvSA

A good comeback by Yuzvendra Chahal. Got his length and speed/flight right today and reaping rewards!

#INDvSA twitter.com/CricSubhayan/s…

Gurkirat Singh Gill

@gurkiratsgill

Chahal dismisses Klassen for the very first time in T20Is.

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Chahal dismisses Klassen for the very first time in T20Is.

Reema Malhotra

@ReemaMalhotra8

Match winner!! @yuzi_chahal not giving away anything and picking up wickets in heaps. He has almost brought the game home for India with this wicket of Klaasen. #INDvSA

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Match winner!! @yuzi_chahal not giving away anything and picking up wickets in heaps. He has almost brought the game home for India with this wicket of Klaasen. #INDvSA

CricketMAN2

@ImTanujSingh

India beat South Africa by 48 runs and now this series 2-1. Terrific performance by india especially indian bowlers. Harshal Patel and Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yuzi Chahal.

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India beat South Africa by 48 runs and now this series 2-1. Terrific performance by india especially indian bowlers. Harshal Patel and Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yuzi Chahal. https://t.co/W1caBleDBq

Niharika Raina

@niharika_raina

Finally, India have a win over South Africa in 2022. Chahal and Harshal got them back in the game after Ruturaj and Kishan sizzled in the first ten overs. More importantly, the series is still alive! #INDvSA

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Finally, India have a win over South Africa in 2022. Chahal and Harshal got them back in the game after Ruturaj and Kishan sizzled in the first ten overs. More importantly, the series is still alive! #INDvSA

Star Sports

@StarSportsIndia

A 🤝 with the Wall can change your fortunes

@yuzi_chahal back to his best has us going

#INDvSA #BelieveInBlue

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A 🤝 with the Wall can change your fortunes 😉

@yuzi_chahal back to his best has us going 😍

#INDvSA #BelieveInBlue https://t.co/1q6WPecmvn

Rockstar MK

@RockstarMK11

Chahal Warra Bowler you are probably one of the best in world n India's most talented Leg spinner RN

‍♂️

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Chahal Warra Bowler you are probably one of the best in world n India's most talented Leg spinner RN

🙇‍♂️ https://t.co/7rHF2PYELr

Royal Challengers Bangalore

@RCBTweets

c Chahal, b Harshal

#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #TeamIndia #ನಮ್ಮRCB #INDvSA

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c Chahal, b Harshal

#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #TeamIndia #ನಮ್ಮRCB #INDvSA https://t.co/nzG0wngLbB

Soorya Sesha

@sooryasesha7

He's done the exact opposite today. Flighted it when needed but also bowled the quicker one more often. Most of all, he nailed his lengths for a good part of his spell. And when that happens, Chahal is bound to win games on his own #INDvSA twitter.com/sooryasesha7/s…

Soorya Sesha

@sooryasesha7

Inexplicable bowling from Chahal today. Too full on most occasions, too short on most others. Klaasen's taken the mickey out of him again like he did in Centurion back in 2018 #INDvSA

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Inexplicable bowling from Chahal today. Too full on most occasions, too short on most others. Klaasen's taken the mickey out of him again like he did in Centurion back in 2018 #INDvSA

He's done the exact opposite today. Flighted it when needed but also bowled the quicker one more often. Most of all, he nailed his lengths for a good part of his spell. And when that happens, Chahal is bound to win games on his own #INDvSA twitter.com/sooryasesha7/s…

CricketMAN2

@ImTanujSingh

Exceptional spell bowled by Yuzi Chahal - His bowling figure (4-0-20-3). After two poor matches, Yuzi Chahal made a Outstanding comeback, he always delivered in pressure situation. Top spell from a top bowler.

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Exceptional spell bowled by Yuzi Chahal - His bowling figure (4-0-20-3). After two poor matches, Yuzi Chahal made a Outstanding comeback, he always delivered in pressure situation. Top spell from a top bowler.

The Bharat Army

@thebharatarmy

🏏🤩 SPIN KING IS BACK! Yuzi Chahal came in clutch when we needed him. A brilliant fer which has put us in the driver's seat!

📸 BCCI • #INDvSA #INDvsSA #YuzvendraChahal #TeamIndia #BharatArmy

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🏏🤩 SPIN KING IS BACK! Yuzi Chahal came in clutch when we needed him. A brilliant 3️⃣fer which has put us in the driver's seat!

📸 BCCI • #INDvSA #INDvsSA #YuzvendraChahal #TeamIndia #BharatArmy https://t.co/78p0A4IKco

Jaanvi🏏

@ThatCric8Girl

Chahal took this slander personally.🤌🏽🤌🏽 twitter.com/ThatCric8Girl/…

Jaanvi🏏

@ThatCric8Girl

Really want to see Arshdeep and Bishnoi playing tonight.

Can rest Harshal because of the fear of aggravating his injury. And Chahal for Bishnoi. Yes, Bishnoi didn't have a great IPL but the purple cap winner ain't doing anything too.

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Really want to see Arshdeep and Bishnoi playing tonight.

Can rest Harshal because of the fear of aggravating his injury. And Chahal for Bishnoi. Yes, Bishnoi didn't have a great IPL but the purple cap winner ain't doing anything too.

Chahal took this slander personally.🔥🔥🤌🏽🤌🏽 twitter.com/ThatCric8Girl/…

Amme31🇮🇳💛

@MegaVyas

Chahal with 3 wickets 🤩
He made a good comeback
Well played brother

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Chahal with 3 wickets 🤩😻
He made a good comeback 🔥
Well played brother 💗

Deep 🏠💙🤷🏼‍♂️

@Deep_Drdz18

The Grand Master Leg Spinner @yuzi_chahal What A Spell 4-0-20-3 Well Done Legend
#INDvsSAT20 @BCCI #IndianCricketTeam

4

The Grand Master Leg Spinner @yuzi_chahal What A Spell 4-0-20-3 Well Done Legend ❤️🎉🎉🎊🎊
#INDvsSAT20 @BCCI #IndianCricketTeam https://t.co/k3XIld6weP

🦋𝐇𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐇 𝟏𝟕™❤️🇮🇳

@hit_ahir_1718

Yuzi Chahal finally performing in the middle overs.

This is a tight slap to those who doubted Yuzi Chahal...

Well bowled Chatur chalak Chahal🥵

#INDvSA #YuziChahal

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Yuzi Chahal finally performing in the middle overs.🔥🔥🔥

This is a tight slap to those who doubted Yuzi Chahal...👋👋

Well bowled Chatur chalak Chahal😻🥵

#INDvSA #YuziChahal https://t.co/TLOZ2zJj1K

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Yuzvendra Chahal wins personal battle against Klaasen

South Africa got off to a slow start as Temba Bavuma and Reeza Hendricks couldn't quite find boundaries regularly. Both were back in the hut by the end of the powerplay.

The hosts knew that South Africa's engine room was the middle-order. Dwaine Pretorius once again got going with a few shots and threatened to take the game away from India.

However, some smart bowling from Yuzvendra Chahal coupled with fine reflex catches from skipper Rishabh Pant sent back both Pretorius and Rassie van der Dussen.

The dangerous David Miller was foxed by Harshal Patel's smart change of pace. Heinrich Klaasen was perhaps the only man standing between India and victory. The right-hander has dominated Chahal in the past as well as in the previous game.

But the leg-spinner was smart this time, as he kept on bowling flatter and quicker. He then gave the ball a bit of air outside off-stump and Klaasen's eyes lit up for a slog sweep. He couldn't connect and was caught at extra cover. Wayne Parnell did play some shots, but it was all a bit too late for the Proteas.

Harshal also had a fantastic performance, picking up figures of 4/25. This win kept India alive in the series and will do their confidence a world of good going forward.

The fourth T20I between the two sides will take place on Friday, June 17 at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot.

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