New Delhi: India entered the third T20I against South Africa on Tuesday after two consecutive wins.
But the target of 228 runs for South Africa was too much for the Indian team which was testing the team. In this match played in Indore, South Africa won by 49 runs.
Indian team won the series 2-1.
Before the T20 World Cup, the third match was important for both the teams. Even though India won the previous match, South Africa showed what they were capable of in a high scoring match
After a dominating performance from the Indian team, South Africa looked to choose the batting from where David Miller and Quinton de Kock shared a 174-run stand.
ThePrint is taking a look at some of the key points from the third T20I match.
- Rossouw’s two zeros and one century
Riley Rossouw played an innings that would assure the South African team ahead of the World Cup. His unbeaten century with the help of eight sixes and seven fours enthralled the audience. After Miller and de Kock found their lost form in the previous match, Rossouw took charge of the match, scoring 100 off just 48 balls.
2. Quinton de Kock finds his form
While Rossouw’s century will be the highlight of South Africa’s batting, de Kock’s innings assumes greater significance in view of the World Cup. De Kock’s 50 consecutive runs at an average of 6 runs in the five T20Is ahead of the series will be quite a relief as his fellow opener Temba Bavuma is not in form yet.
3. faltering Indian bowling
While the last two matches were relatively confident that the Indian pace attack was in safe hands, Tuesday was not bowlers’ night, barring a few concerns about the death bowling. It was Ashwin whose economy was less than 10 runs per over. In Bumrah’s absence and Arshdeep’s absence, the Indian pace attack looked like it was in serious trouble
4. DK – Not just a finisher
India’s newly-consistent and reliable finisher Dinesh Karthik showed that he was able to finish the order as well. Coming at number four, Karthik scored 46 runs in 21 balls. At a time when none of the Indian batsmen could survive, opener Rishabh Pant scored 27 off 14 and Deepak Chahar reassured his all-rounder skills
5. Rabada leads the pace for South Africa
With an economy rate of 6.00, South African ace bowler Kagiso Rabada showed how to get things done on a pitch suitable for batsmen. South Africa’s pace attack took a total of eight wickets, while the lone spinner took 2 for 34.
With the World Cup just months away, both the teams have something to take back. While India still need to find the right rhythm in death bowling, many South African players also need to find their form under captain Bavuma.
Read also: 5 important things India won the first home T20 series against South Africa