India vs South Africa: Sanju Samson's maiden international ton propels Men in Blue to series-clinching win in 3rd ODI

Sanju Samson led by example with a maiden international century as India got the better of South Africa in the third and final ODI in Paarl to clinch the series 2-1. Samson made an early case for the 2027 ODI World Cup with a 110-ball century. With his century, Samson put an end to his misery with the bat, having been on and off the team of late. As it happened: IND vs SA 3rd ODI   Samson’s century along with Rinku Singh’s 27-ball 38 guided the Men in Blue to 296/8 after being put into bat by the Proteas. 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.

A dream realised, a landmark breached!#SanjuSamson batted out of his skin to bring up his maiden ODI 💯 in a crucial series decider!
How important in this knock in the greater scheme of things?

Tune-in to the 3rd #SAvIND ODI, LIVE NOW on Star Sports Network#Cricket pic.twitter.com/OjR5qN8aXZ

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 21, 2023

But the pair showed excellent situational awareness and sussed up the conditions to a nicety. Their partnership was all about pragmatism without letting go of any opportunity to unfurl a big shot. Usually a free-flowing hitter, Samson shelved his macho intentions for a large part of his innings, concentrating on singles and twos as the Boland Park deck had this slight bite on it. But the right-hander intermittently brought out his T20 avatar into play when he smashed pacer Nandre Burger for a six over mid-wicket or while executing an exquisite inside-out loft over cover off left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj for a four. His fifty came off 66 balls with a single to third man off pacer Beuran Hendricks. But at the other end, Varma struggled for flow as he could find a boundary only in his 39th ball, a scratchy pull off Hendricks. However, the left-hander gave company to Samson to take India out of the woods. Finally, Varma fell in his venture to accelerate, a miss-timed sweep off Maharaj ending in the hands of Wiaan Mulder in the deep. But Samson carried on and was not to be denied a hundred. The landmark moment for him came when he pushed Maharaj to long-off for a single. But Samson was dismissed as he tried to up the ante as a skier off pacer Lizaad Williams was caught by Reeza Hendricks inside the rings. However, a good cameo by Rinku Singh (38 off 27 balls) helped India motor on in the end phase of the innings. But before India made that good fightback, the Proteas bowlers had them on the ropes. Debutant Rajat Patidar, who stepped in for an injured opener Ruturaj Gaikwad, was a treat to watch during his 16-ball 22, exhibiting wonderful eye-hand coordination. But Burger’s lovely in-dipper that disturbed the stumps snapped his stay and Hendricks trapped Sai Sudharsan in front of the wicket with a delivery that was angled into him from over the wicket. Rahul helped Samson add 52 runs for the third wicket but the Indian captain’s effort to pull Mulder resulted in a catch to stumper Klaasen after the ball took a deflection off his thigh pads. However, India found two willing soldiers in Samson and Varma to find an escape route to series victory. With inputs from PTI