South Africa vs India, 3rd ODI: Samson century takes India to series win 2-1

Sanju Samson hit a maiden international century for India in the series-deciding third one-day international against South Africa at Boland Park in Paarl on Thursday.

Samson made 108 in an Indian total of 296 for eight after the tourists were sent in to bat on a slow pitch in hot weather.

The right-handed Samson and left-handed Tilak Varma (52) put on 116 for the fourth wicket.

Samson and Varma came together after India made a brisk start, scoring 101 but losing three wickets inside the first 19 overs.

It took the pair 88 balls to post 50 but they added another 66 off 48 balls before Varma was caught at deep backward square leg off left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj.

Samson reached his century off 110 balls with six fours and two sixes and added another six before he skied a catch to mid-off.

Rinku Singh made 38 and led some brisk scoring by India's lower order batsmen as the last five overs yielded 52 runs.

In reply, South Africa were bowled out for 218.South Africa had a decent start as Reeza Hendricks (19:24b, 3x4) and Tony de Zorzi (81:87b, 6x4, 3x6) added 59 runs for the opening partnership.

But one wicket brought another as Rassie van der Dussen fell early as well. Skipper Aiden Markram (36:41b, 2x4, 1x6) and Heinrich Klaasen (21:22b, 3x4) tried to get going but lost their wickets after good starts.

The India pacer attack made a strong comeback and left South Africa tottering at 174 for five.

The bowlers then kept picking wickets at regular intervals and bundled out the opposition for 218 to win the game by 78 runs. Arshdeep Singh was the pick of the bowlers with his figures of 4 for 30.

Match Summary

India: 296-8 (50)

Fall of wickets: 1-34 (Rajat Patidar-4.4 ov), 2-49 (Sai Sudharsan-7.3 ov), 3-101 (KL Rahul-18.5 ov), 4-217 (Tilak Varma-41.2 ov), 5-246 (Sanju Samson-45.3 ov), 6-255 (Axar Patel-46.3 ov), 7-277 (Washington Sundar-48.5 ov), 8-293 (Rinku Singh-49.3 ov)

South Africa:- 218 (45.5)

Fall of wickets: 1-59 (Reeza Hendricks-8.2 ov), 2-76 (Rassie van der Dussen-14.4 ov), 3-141 (Aiden Markram-25.5 ov), 4-161 (Tony de Zorzi-29.4 ov), 5-174 (Heinrich Klaasen-32.2 ov), 6-177 (Wiaan Mulder-33.2 ov), 7-192 (David Miller-37.6 ov), 8-210 (Keshav Maharaj-42.6 ov), 9-216 (Lizaad Williams-44.1 ov), 10-218 (Beuran Hendricks-45.5 ov)

Result - India won by 78 runs

SCORECARD

Playing XIs

South Africa

India

Match Details

Date - 2023-12-21 11:00:00

Venue - Boland Park, Paarl

Toss - South Africa elected to bowl

Umpires - Allahudien Paleker (South Africa), Richard Kettleborough (England), Ahsan Raza (Pakistan TV)

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