3rd T20I: India Thrash South Africa by Seven Wickets, Abhishek Stars

DHARAMSALA, Dec 15: In chilly, seam friendly conditions at the HPCA Stadium, India secured a comfortable seven-wicket victory over South Africa in the third T20I on Sunday, taking a 2-1 lead in the five match series.

After a combined effort by spinners and seamers restricted South Africa to 117, India chased down the target in 15.5 overs with 25 balls to spare. Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, and Kuldeep Yadav picked up two wickets each, while Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube claimed a wicket apiece, reducing the visitors to 30/4 inside seven overs.

India’s chase was powered by Abhishek Sharma, who blasted 35 off 18 balls during the powerplay. Shubman Gill (28) and Tilak Varma (25 not out) struggled for fluency, while Suryakumar Yadav contributed 12. Abhishek’s early onslaught ensured the target remained within reach, with Shivam Dube (10 not out) finishing the innings in style.

Abhishek dominated the opening over against Lungi Ngidi, hitting a six, a four, and lofting over cover for another boundary. He struck three more boundaries before South Africa captain Aiden Markram caught him at long-off. Gill, after surviving an lbw appeal against Marco Jansen, struck boundaries off Jansen and Ottniel Baartman, but fell in the 12th over when he chopped on to his stumps.

Suryakumar Yadav briefly accelerated with back-to-back boundaries off Ngidi but was caught attempting a trademark clip over fine leg. Dube sealed the win with a massive six over long-on and a four through midwicket.

Brief Scores:
South Africa 117 all out (Aiden Markram 61, Donovan Ferreira 20; Varun Chakravarthy 2-11, Kuldeep Yadav 2-12) lost to India 120/3 in 15.5 overs (Abhishek Sharma 35, Shubman Gill 28; Corbin Bosch 1-18, Lungi Ngidi 1-23) by seven wickets.