Sanju Samson Shines As India Beat South Africa To Clinch Historic Series Win

Sanju Samson's mature maiden ODI hundred and wiliness of a young set of bowlers on a sticky surface formed a heady concoction in India's 78-run win over South Africa in the third and final match here Thursday. India, thus, bagged the rubber 2-1, their second series triumph on these shores since 2018. Samson's measured 108 (114 balls) and Tilak Varma's patient 52 (77 balls), his first fifty in this format, guided India to a competitive 296 for eight. Their 116-run alliance for an enterprising fourth wicket stand was a treat to watch.

South Africa challenged the tourists through a fifty by Tony de Zorzi (81, 87 balls) but were eventually bowled out for 218 in 45.5 overs.

Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh marshalled Indian bowlers with a satisfactory haul of four for 30.

South Africa made a bright beginning to their chase with De Zorzi and Reeza Hendricks (19) adding 59 runs in just 8.2 overs as the former took a heavy toll on pacer Mukesh Kumar in the power play.

However, Arshdeep elicited an edge from Hendricks to activate KL Rahul behind the stumps, signalling the end of the opening partnership.

Left-arm spinner Axar Patel castled Rassie van der Dussen with a ball that came along his arm to reduce the hosts to 76 for 2.

But it followed a period of stability as De Zorzi and captain Aiden Markram (36) added 65 runs for the third wicket to keep India at bay.

De Zorzi's footwork was precise and he used the depth of the crease wisely to gather runs, especially against spinners Axar and Washington Sundar.

But just as the partnership was blooming, Washington, who replaced Kuldeep Yadav for this match, dislodged Markram.

Markram's attempt to reverse sweep Washington brought disaster as Rahul snaffled the ballooning ball behind the