Paarl, Dec 22: 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 wicket.
South Africa’s hopes of adding flesh to the chase suffered an even bigger jolt when Arshdeep won a leg-before appeal against De Zorzi via the DRS.
The left-armer jagged the ball into the Protea opener and the low-ball thudded onto his front pad as the Indian camp went up in appeal, which eventually brought the desired result.
Heinrich Klaasen (21, 22 balls) failed to negotiate a climbing ball from pacer Avesh Khan and he played it with hard hands.
Sai Sudharsan completed a super acrobatic catch inside the ring to dismiss Klaasen, reducing the Proteas to 174 for five in the 33rd over.
With the asking rate mounting ever so steadily, even David Miller could not carry South Africa past the target.
Earlier, Samson found a perfect sidekick in Varma to place India in a position of strength.
Samson and Varma came together when India were slightly wobbling at 101 for three after being asked to bat first.
But the pair showed excellent situational awareness and sussed up the conditions to a nicety.