India lost the final T20I by 49 runs against South Africa. Despite the defeat, Men in blue won the three-match series 2-1. India was bundled out on 178 while chasing a massive target of 228. The Proteas produced a clinical performance in all three departments to outclass the hosts. Though Indian batters scored quick runs, they failed to keep wickets in hand to make a successful chase.
Batting first, Quinton de Kock gave a good start to his side. But the Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma once again failed and departed for 3. However, de Kock and Rilee Rossouw produced solid batting and added 90-runs for the second wicket. Indian bowlers conceded more runs as they failed to bowl at the correct line and length.
Shreyas Iyer was good on the field to dismiss de Kock for 68. Rossouw was on the top gear and smashed a 48-ball 100 with the help of seven fours and eight sixes. David Miller played a cameo of 19-runs at the end as South Africa piled a gigantic total of 227/3 in 20 overs.
In reply, India got off to a poor start, losing captain Rohit Sharma (0) and Iyer (1) very early. Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik scored 27 and 46 respectively at a good strike rate but lost their wickets by playing unwanted shots. South African bowlers took regular wickets to derail India’s run chase. Deepak Chahar produced a fight by playing a cameo of 31-runs towards the end. India and South Africa will square off in the first ODI tomorrow at Ekana Sports City.
