India delivered a masterclass of cricket as they bowled out South Africa for a paltry 99 runs, the lowest total ever scored by the hosts in One Day International (ODI) history. This remarkable feat gave India a 1-0 lead in the series and a huge boost of confidence.
India vs South Africa cricket
South Africa’s Humiliating Collapse
South Africa’s batting performance in the third ODI was nothing short of disastrous. They managed to score only 99 runs, the lowest they have ever scored against India in this format. This score is also the fourth-lowest in the history of ODIs. Their previous lowest total against India was 117 all out in 1999 in Nairobi. The 99 is also the lowest total by any team against India since New Zealand’s 79 all out in 2016.
India’s Spinners Dominate
India’s spinners were the architects of this historic win, as they ripped through South Africa’s batting order in just 28 overs. This victory marks India’s fifth consecutive ODI series win. The spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja took six wickets between them, while the pacers chipped in with four.
A Massive Defeat
This defeat is South Africa’s third-worst in terms of runs. They have been bowled out for less than 100 in the ODI format only on four occasions, including twice in 2022. They were bowled out for 83 against England in Manchester earlier in July.
What’s Next
This victory sets a high standard for India as they aim to clinch the series in the upcoming matches. With their spinners in sublime form and a strong batting lineup, India will be a formidable opponent for South Africa. This match will go down in the history books as a memorable win for India and a wake-up call for South Africa. As the series continues, cricket fans around the world will be keen to see how both teams perform in the next games.