Images from the third and final T20 International between South Africa and India at New Wanderers Stadium, in Johannesburg, on Thursday.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav produced a brilliant hundred, and Kuldeep Yadav showcased his spin prowess with a fifer as India secured a comprehensive 106-run series-levelling win over South Africa in the third and final T20I on Thursday.
Suryakumar's 100 off 56 balls, containing seven fours and eight sixes, along with Yashasvi Jaiswal's fluent 60 off 41 balls, carried India to 201 for 7 after being asked to bat first.
Indian bowlers, especially left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep (5/17), who turned 29 on Thursday, hit better lengths to bundle out SA for 95 in 13.5 overs.
India profusely thanked Suryakumar for exploiting the opportunity on a bone-dry surface, making his fourth T20I century. His partnership with Jaiswal made 112 runs for a fourth-wicket alliance, steering India out of a tight spot after losing early wickets.
Their stand was sturdy, adding 33 runs in the final four overs of the Power Play and 25 runs between the seventh and 10th overs. After the 10th over, they shifted into overdrive, adding 114 runs in the back-10.
Suryakumar, initially giving space to Jaiswal, took over as the chief aggressor, punishing SA bowlers. He hammered Phehlukwayo for 22 runs in the 13th over, bringing up his fifty. Jaiswal had his moments, but he departed attempting a big shot off Shamsi.
However, there was no stopping Suryakumar, who carted the Proteas bowlers with nimble feet and manipulative wrists. He reached a well-deserved hundred off 55 balls but couldn't last till the end.
In the second half, the Johannesburg pitch offered assistance to spinners, which Jadeja and Kuldeep utilized gleefully. Birthday boy Kuldeep's delivery to dismiss Ferreira exposed SA batters' weakness against high-quality spin.
South Africa's chase never took off as pacer Mohammed Siraj set the perfect platform, bowling a maiden in the first over. Captain Markram and Klaasen were dismissed early, sealing SA's fate. The rest of the lineup struggled to read Kuldeep, crumbling like a whole-meal cookie.
The only concern for India was Suryakumar's absence from the field due to a hurt ankle in the third over of SA's innings. Jadeja stood in for him for the rest of the SA innings.
