Picture Credit: BCCI
The KL Rahul-led Men in Blue clinched the three-match ODI series by 2-1 margin after beating the Aiden Markram’s South Africa by 78 runs in the third and final ODI at the Boland Park in Paarl. The hosts invited the visitors to bat first after winning the toss. The Men in Blue posted 296 runs on the board, courtesy Sanju Samson’s 108 off 114 balls and a half-century knock from Tilak Varma.
However, a brilliant four-wicket haul in the final match by Arshdeep Singh, helped the visitors bowl out the hosts for 218 in just 45.5 overs, clinching the decider by a considerable margin. While in the entire series, Arshdeep took a total of 10 wickets, which I now the second most by an Indian quick in a bilateral ODI series in South Africa after Munaf Patel, KL Rahul also grabbed six catches. Apart from KL, Sanju took two and Sai Sudharshan took one.
However, out of the three shortlisted players, it was Sai Sudharshan who won the ‘Best Fielder’ medal for his blinder. Speaking inside the dressing room, Fielding Coach Ajay Ratra further revealed that he wanted to go with KL Rahul but the skipper with his generous mindset opted to give the medal to Sai Sudharsan.
Watch the video here:
Speaking of Sai’s brilliant catch, the young Indian cricketer, who is playing his maiden series for Team India, grabbed the stunner in the 33rd over of the third ODI. On the second delivery of the 33rd over, Sai went full stretch diving to complete a clean catch to dismiss Henrich Klaasen.
Speaking of Team India, the action will now shift to the two-match Test series, which will see the return of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli among others. While the first Test will be played from December 26 to 30 at the SuperSport Park in Centurion, the second will be held from January 3 to 7 at the Newlands in Cape Town.
