India produced a commanding all-round performance to seal a 9-wicket victory over South Africa in the series-deciding third ODI at Visakhapatnam, with Yashasvi Jaiswal stealing the spotlight by scoring his maiden ODI century. The left-hander played a mature and fluent knock, anchoring the chase with composure and authority as India comfortably overhauled the 270-run target set by the visitors.
Virat Kohli once again proved his consistency in the format, registering his 76th ODI fifty, providing solid support at the other end. He paced his innings smartly, ensuring there were no hiccups in India’s run chase. Rohit Sharma, continuing his impressive form at the top, chipped in with a valuable 75, laying the perfect foundation for a smooth and assured victory.
Earlier in the day, India’s bowlers set up the match with a disciplined display. Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav were the standout performers, picking up four wickets each to bundle South Africa out for 270. Prasidh, in particular, made a remarkable comeback after a shaky start, justifying the trust shown in him by captain KL Rahul and head coach Gautam Gambhir by tearing through the South African middle order. Kuldeep’s variations and control further restricted the flow of runs.
For South Africa, Quinton de Kock fought a lone battle with a superb 106, showing his class under pressure.