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We now conclude our coverage of the 3-match ODI series between South Africa and India, leaving behind a clip of possibly the best catch you'll see today! Click on the link below to have a look at it. Both sides will don the whites and take the field the day after Christmas, with several senior members making a return. Join us right here on Sportskeeda for our extensive coverage of the upcoming 2-match Test series, and keep following us for a whole lot more! This is Rajarshi Das, signing off on behalf of Pragadeesh Shanmugam. Good night - see you tomorrow!
KL Rahul has been handed the trophy, and now the rest of the Indian team join him for the photographs. A spirited performance by a young group of Indian players - that'll be the major highlight for the Men in Blue from this series!
KL Rahul, India captain: Been that way since I've been here (On enjoying the company of younger players). Coming back from a disappointing result in the World Cup final, nice to get back in the cricket field. Nice to be part of this group and putting up good performance, giving opportunities to them. Usually, my message is to enjoy the game, give your best and not worry about the results. It's a young group of players, they have played a lot of cricket but not at the international level. A lot of them will be nervous, need to let them adjust to International cricket, enjoy it and expect things from them after a while. Really good to see how everyone fared, they gave a tough fight throughout the series, that's all I can expect as a captain. Very happy for Sanju, has been a phenomenal performer in the IPL for years, hasn't gotten enough chances top of the order for various reasons. Really happy we could give this opportunity at number 3. Will enjoy the night with the boys and then prepare for the Test series.
Arshdeep Singh is the Player of the Series and here's what he has to say - There is always something on the wicket throughout. Sometimes it was stopping, sometimes it was gripping. It wasn't ideal for the pacers but the plan is to keep it simple and bowl wicket-to-wicket. In wickets like, you need support from the umpires and hence there were loud appeals. IPL has been a good platform for the youngsters and the gap is not much. We get to know the levels of the international cricketers all around. The main players are getting ready for Test Cricket and we got this opportunity and we loved it. In the future, we would love to give our all, 100% and do well for the team
Sanju Samson is the Player Of The Match! Here's what he has to say: I just focused on my process. I keep working hard every day, glad that the results have come out. Would like to continue and keep performing for my country. This format gives you some extra time to take, some understanding of the wicket, and what the bowler is trying to execute and get you out. The whole country is very proud of the way Tilak Varma has stepped up at this age, his performances in the IPL and the shorter formats has been really good. Whenever a junior comes in, the standard expected from him is known to him. Fast bowlers playing three games in six days is not easy, traveling in between. The performance is really appreciable.
Aiden Markram - We were up for it. It's great to play the series decider in front of a good crowd but unfortunately not our best skills on display. We were there in small patches but failed to stretch those to get a firm grip on the game and get momentum on our side. but we will reflect on this in the break as we don't play a white-ball series now for some time. The surface didn't change much throughout and I thought 290 was chaseable. I backed our batting unit to chase it but things didn't go in our way. I am not sure the toss played a massive factor today. Two great venues for two great Test matches in December and I can't wait for the series to begin. We fly and join the Test squad tomorrow
Match summary:
India win by 78 runs and win the 3-match ODI series 2-1
Sanju Samson 108(114) | Arshdeep Singh 4/30 (9) Tony de Zorzi 81(87) | Beuran Hendricks 3/63 (9)
While a target of 297 isn't as intimidating on paper, it takes a couple of major partnerships for the chasing team to get ahead of proceedings. South Africa's middle order was put to the test today, and they weren't able to deliver. The Proteas were well placed up until the wicket of Aiden Markram - they went on to lose 7 wickets for 77 runs after the departire of their skipper.
Once again, the opening duo of Tony de Zorzi and Reeza Hendricks laid a solid platform for the hosts early on. The duo, who had begun in circumspect fashion in the 2nd ODI, were a lot more proactive in playing their strokes. The Indian pace attack were guilty of offering too many boundary-balls, too much width was on offer from Mukesh Kumar and Avesh Khan in particular, and they erred in length at times as well.
While Reeza Hendricks failed to capitalize on what seemed like a promising start, Tony de Zorzi did. Along with his skipper, the new South Africa left-handed opener navigated the hosts through the middle overs rotating strike, and neither batter missed out on potential scoring opportunities. They took on Axar Patel when they wanted to, and the Proteas began finding some momentum having almost scaled half the runs required by the 26th over.
South Africa were jolted further four overs later, when de Zorzi was rapped on the pads and given not out, but a call for review altered the decision and the tide towards the visitors! Klaasen and Mulder departed in quick succession after that, the former being held brilliantly by Sai Sudharsan. David Miller was left with too much to do, and once he nicked behind off Mukesh Kumar, the game was done and dusted. Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan went on to mop the tail up, with the left-armer going on to claim a four-fer.
That's that! India have a second ODI series win over South Africa at their den! This has been a thoroughly clinical performance from an inexperienced side, and while there was the odd-blip or two, this Indian unit has strung together a commendable performance to claim the series!
45.5 Avesh Khan to Beuran Hendricks, OUT! India win the series 2-1. Mission accomplished for KL Rahul & co as they were sensational in all facets of the game. Off-pace delivery on a good length outside off, Hendricks shuffles and tries to scoop this but doesn't get enough pace to execute the shot. The ball loops up off the bat face and Samson takes it safely at short third
Beuran Hendricks c Sanju Samson b Avesh Khan 18 (26b, 2x4, 0x6)
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Boland Park, Paarl
![[Watch] Sai Sudharsan takes stunning catch to send back Heinrich Klaasen in IND vs SA series decider](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/12/b8ba2-17031823351805-1920.jpg?w=700)
