Sharma powers India to series-leading win over Proteas
South Africa Tour of India
Aiden Markram led the fight for South Africa with a resilient 61 against India in the third T20I, but his efforts were not enough to prevent a seven-wicket defeat in Dharamsala. Photo: AFP
Image: AFP
Opener Abhishek Sharma blitzed India to a dominant seven-wicket victory in the third T20I in Dharamsala, helping the hosts take a 2-1 series lead with two matches remaining.
Sharma smashed three sixes and three fours at the top of the order, scoring 35 runs off just 18 deliveries to give India a flying start in their chase of 118. The left-handed batter shared a 60-run opening partnership with Shubman Gill (28), laying a solid foundation for the chase.
Tilak Varma guided India home with an unbeaten 26 off 34 balls, while Shivam Dube (10 not out) struck the winning runs, allowing India to reclaim the series lead.
For South Africa, Lungi Ngidi (1/23), Marco Jansen (1/24) and Corbin Bosch (1/18) bowled with discipline but were unable to defend the modest total.
Earlier, the Proteas suffered another batting collapse, being bowled out for 117 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in northern India. The hosts dominated from the outset, with their bowlers executing a clinical performance in front of their home fans.
Opening bowlers Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana set the tone early. Singh trapped Reeza Hendricks (0) LBW in the first over, while Rana followed by dismissing in-form Quinton de Kock (1) in the second over.
The spin attack of Varun Chakravarthy (2/11), Kuldeep Yadav (2/12), Shivam Dube (1/21) and Hardik Pandya (1/23) completed India’s exemplary bowling display.
Proteas captain Aiden Markram led a lone resistance, reaching 61 runs off 46 balls with two sixes and six boundaries at a strike rate of 132.60. Donovan Ferreira (20) and Anrich Nortje (12) were the only other Proteas batters to reach double figures.
Last week, South Africa were bowled out for 74 in Cuttack, their lowest-ever T20I score, before bouncing back with a 51-run victory in New Chandigarh to level the series 1-1. Two T20Is remain in the five-match series, the first of which will be on Wednesday (starts 3.30pm), followed by the final match on Friday.