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Needing a win to stay alive in the series , India finally got their act together as they beat South Africa by 48 runs in the third T20 match at Visakhapatnam . India skipper Rishabh Pant lost toss for the third time in a row as Proteas chose to field first.
India were off to a good start in must win game with openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan putting on 97 for the first wicket in 10 overs. Kishan has been consistent with the bat and scored yet another fine innings of 54 ( 35 balls, 5 fours , 2 sixes). Ruturaj Gaikwad too impressed with his 57 ( 35 balls, 7 fours , 2 sixes) . Shreyas Iyer fell for 14 . Skipper Rishabh Pant struggling with form was out for mere 6 . Dinesh Karthik was out for 6. Fortunately for a strong finish Hardik Pandya was around till the end and the all- rounder was unbeaten with a crucial 21 ball 31 with four fours. India finishing at 179 / 5 in their 20 overs .
For the Proteas the bowling figures were : Kagiso Rabada 1/ 31 ( 4 overs), Wayne Parnell 0/32( 4 overs), Anrich Nortje 0/23( 2 over) , Dwaine Pretorius 2/29 ( 4 overs), Tabraiz Shamsi 1/36 ( 4 overs) , Keshav Maharaj 1/ 24 ( 2 over)
Indian bowling had been a letdown in the first two matches especially the spinners and it need them to come good If India were to stay in the hunt and fortunately it clicked this time .
South Africa in reply were joled early and regular fall of wickets pegged them back . Skipper Temba Bavuma ( 8) , Reeza Hendricks ( 23), Dwaine Pretorius ( 20). The dangerous Rassie van der Dussen ( 1). Last match hero Heinrich Klaasen ( 29) . In-from David Miller was out for ( 3) meant the Proteas chase was effectively derailed . Wayne Parnell ( 22) not out threw his bat around but it was not enough. South Africa were bowled out for 131/ 10 in 19. 1 overs. India winning by 48 runs . The Proteas lead the series though 2- 1.
For India the bowlers after much criticism delivered . Bhuvneshwar Kumar 1/ 21 ( 4 overs) , Avesh Khan 0/ 35 ( 4 overs) , Axar Patel 1/ 28 ( 4 overs) , Yuzvendra Chahal finally came good 3/ 20 ( 4 overs), Harshal Patel 4/ 25 ( 3 .1 overs)
