Suryakumar Yadav scored a stunning century as India won the third and final Twenty20 international against South Africa by a crushing 106-run margin at the Wanderers Stadium on Thursday.
After India were brought in to bat, Suryakumar struck 100 in a total of 201 for seven.
South Africa were bowled out for 95 runs, with left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav getting five for 17 on his 29th birthday.
“We wanted to play an aggressive style of cricket.” “That was one box we wanted to check – putting runs on the board and then defending them,” Suryakumar said after being selected player of the match and series.
The Indian captain hit eight sixes and seven fours to complete his fourth T20 international century in 55 balls. He was caught at deep square leg off the next ball as India lost three wickets, including a run-out, in Lizaad Williams’ penultimate over.
Suryakumar missed the majority of South Africa’s innings after injuring his left ankle while fielding in the third over.
Ravindra Jadeja, a left-arm spinner, took over as captain and played a key part in South Africa’s collapse, removing captain Aiden Markram for a hard-hit 25 with his first ball.
“It’s not too horrible. “I’m walking, so everything’s fine,” Suryakumar said of his injury.
Mohammed Siraj’s maiden over against Reeza Hendricks set the tone for India’s bowling effort, with three slips in place for the last two balls of the over.
The spinners, however, caused the most havoc, with Jadeja getting two for 25 and Kuldeep tearing through the lower order, claiming the last four wickets in seven balls.
Suryakumar and Yashasvi Jaiswal (60) attacked the bowling with a fourth-wicket stand of 112 off 70 balls, but Jadeja and Kuldeep both acquired turn and the occasional low bounce.
“Credit to the (Indian) batters for making it look easy for them,” Mr. Markram added.
Suryakumar came out to bat after left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj got two wickets in the third over. He took 23 balls to make his first 25 runs, but then unleashed his complete arsenal of strokes, including leg-side sixes off decent length balls.
On Sunday, the teams will begin a three-match one-day international series at the same venue.