[Watch] Axar Patel takes a blinder to get rid of David Miller in IND vs SA 2024 3rd T20I

India all-rounder Axar Patel pulled off a blinder to get the crucial wicket of David Miller in the third T20I against South Africa at Supersport Park in Centurion on Wednesday, October 13. The southpaw plucked the ball out of thin air to end Miller's struggle at the crease.

The dismissal occurred in the run-chase's 16th over, which was sent down by Hardik Pandya. With the left-hander hitting only a boundary and a six till then, the required run rate demanded much more from the veteran. Miller leathered a pull while responding to Pandya's half-tracker, and it seemed like the ball would sail for a maximum. However, Axar timed his jump to perfection to take the catch above his head.

The 35-year-old walked back for a run-a-ball 18, ending a 78-run stand with Heinrich Klaasen. The southpaw also struggled in the first two T20Is of the series, especially against spin bowling.

India survive Marco Jansen's later onslaught take 2-1 lead

Despite the Proteas needing an improbable 59 off 18 deliveries to gun down 220, they managed to push the tourists closer than expected. Klaasen, who struck four sixes en route a 22-ball 41, fell in the 18th over to Arshdeep Singh. At that point, the hosts needed 53 runs off 14 deliveries.

Marco Jansen then took matters into his hands, hammering 26 with three fours and a couple of maximums in the 19th over bowled by Pandya. It brought the equation down to 25 off six balls. However, after tonking Arshdeep Singh for a six, the new-ball bowler fell for 54 with the hosts needing 18 off four balls.

The Men in Blue eventually prevailed by 11 runs. The fourth and final T20I between India and South Africa will take place on Friday, October 15, in Johannesburg.