India produced a commanding performance to clinch the third T20I against South Africa by 7 wickets in Dharamsala on Sunday, taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
Asked to bat first, South Africa struggled from the outset, never finding momentum as India’s bowlers dominated. Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana extracted movement both off the pitch and in the air, breaking through the Proteas’ top order inside the Powerplay. Varun Chakaravarthy, Shivam Dube, and Hardik Pandya compounded South Africa’s woes, leaving Aiden Markram to fight a lone battle. Markram’s 61 was the only notable resistance, as the visitors were bundled out for 117. Varun Chakaravarthy and Arshdeep Singh stood out with two wickets each, demonstrating control and consistency.
In reply, India’s chase never looked in doubt. Abhishek Sharma provided the perfect start, racing to a quick-fire 60 in just 5 overs, putting the match beyond reach early. Shubman Gill and Tilak Varma contributed steadily, ensuring a comfortable victory despite minor hiccups along the way.
After the match, Varun Chakaravarthy spoke to broadcasters, admitting he was unaware he had reached the milestone of 50 T20I wickets. “It feels good as long as I’m playing for the country and picking up wickets,” he said. He reflected on the challenging conditions in Dharamsala and praised the team’s honest bowling discussions following the second T20I defeat. On the pitch, he explained, “The ball was skidding more rather than turning, so I just tried to keep the stumps in play.”
This win marks a strong comeback for India following their earlier heavy defeat, while South Africa’s inconsistent batting line-up and frequent rotation policy remain under scrutiny. With two games still to go, India now hold the advantage and will look to consolidate their lead in the series.
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