India vs South Africa: Sanju Samson's maiden international ton propels Men in Blue to series-clinching win in 3rd ODI

Sanju Samson led by example with a maiden international century as India got the better of South Africa in the third and final ODI in Paarl to clinch the series 2-1. Samson made an early case for the 2027 ODI World Cup with a 110-ball century. With his century, Samson put an end to his misery with the bat, having been on and off the team of late.

As it happened: IND vs SA 3rd ODI 

Samson’s century along with Rinku Singh’s 27-ball 38 guided the Men in Blue to 296/8 after being put into bat by the Proteas.

South Africa challenged the tourists through a fifty by Tony de Zorzi (81, 87 balls) but were eventually bowled out for 218 in 45.5 overs.

Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh marshalled Indian bowlers with a satisfactory haul of four for 30.

South Africa made a bright beginning to their chase with De Zorzi and Reeza Hendricks (19) adding 59 runs in just 8.2 overs as the former took a heavy toll on pacer Mukesh Kumar in the power play.

However, Arshdeep elicited an edge from Hendricks to activate KL Rahul behind the stumps, signalling the end of the opening partnership.

Left-arm spinner Axar Patel castled Rassie van der Dussen with a ball that came along his arm to reduce the hosts to 76 for 2.

But it followed a period of stability as De Zorzi and captain Aiden Markram (36) added 65 runs for the third wicket to keep India at bay.

De Zorzi’s footwork was precise and he used the depth of the crease wisely to gather runs, especially against spinners Axar and Washington Sundar.

But just as the partnership was blooming, Washington, who replaced Kuldeep Yadav for this match, dislodged Markram.

Markram’s attempt to reverse sweep Washington brought disaster as Rahul snaffled the ballooning ball behind the wicket.

South Africa’s hopes of adding flesh to the chase suffered an even bigger jolt when Arshdeep won a leg-before appeal against De Zorzi via the DRS.

The left-armer jagged the ball into the Protea opener and the low-ball thudded onto his front pad as the Indian camp went up in appeal, which eventually brought the desired result.

Heinrich Klaasen (21, 22 balls) failed to negotiate a climbing ball from pacer Avesh Khan and he played it with hard hands.

Sai Sudharsan completed a super acrobatic catch inside the ring to dismiss Klaasen, reducing the Proteas to 174 for five in the 33rd over.

With the asking rate mounting ever so steadily, even David Miller could not carry South Africa past the target.

Earlier, Samson found a perfect sidekick in Varma to place India in a position of strength.

Samson and Varma came together when India were slightly wobbling at 101 for three after being asked to bat first.

A dream realised, a landmark breached!#SanjuSamson batted out of his skin to bring up his maiden ODI