Eman 
ZeeaK 
India delivered a dominant all-round performance to secure a seven-wicket win over South Africa in the 3rd T20I at Dharamsala, moving ahead 2–1 in the series during the South Africa tour of India 2025. A clinical bowling display laid the foundation before a brisk batting effort sealed the chase with plenty of overs in hand.
South Africa Falter Against Relentless Bowling
Asked to bat first, South Africa never truly found momentum as India’s bowlers struck at regular intervals. Despite a resilient effort from captain Aiden Markram, who top-scored with a composed 61, the visitors were bundled out for 117.
India used a six-bowler strategy, and every bowler made an impact. Arshdeep Singh struck early, dismissing Reeza Hendricks after a successful DRS call, a wicket that helped him become India’s leading Powerplay wicket-taker in T20Is.
At the other end, Harshit Rana made immediate inroads by trapping Quinton de Kock in front and then knocking over Dewald Brevis, bringing up his 50th T20I wicket. South Africa stumbled to 25 for 3 inside the Powerplay.
Hardik Pandya entered the attack after the Powerplay and achieved a personal milestone by claiming his 100th T20I wicket, dismissing Tristan Stubbs. This made him the only pace-bowling all-rounder with 1000 runs and 100 wickets in T20I cricket.
With South Africa struggling at 44 for 4 halfway through the innings, partnerships remained elusive. Shivam Dube struck immediately, removing Corbin Bosch, while Varun Chakravarthy continued the collapse by dismissing Donovan Ferreira and later Marco Jansen, becoming one of the quickest Indians to reach 50 T20I wickets.
Markram attempted a late acceleration, striking boundaries in a productive over, but Arshdeep Singh returned to dismiss the South African skipper in the penultimate over. Kuldeep Yadav cleaned up the tail with two wickets in the final over, wrapping up the innings.
Abhishek Sharma Sets the Tone in the Chase
India’s response was led by a fearless start from Abhishek Sharma, who launched Lungi Ngidi for a six off the very first ball. He continued the assault with crisp boundaries and a six off Marco Jansen, helping India race to 50 in just 4.1 overs.
While Shubman Gill provided stability with elegant strokeplay, Abhishek’s aggressive approach ensured India stayed well ahead of the required rate. He fell attempting another big shot, but by then the hosts had already completed more than half the chase.
A brief slowdown followed as South Africa tried to claw back, with Gill eventually bowled by Jansen. Suryakumar Yadav injected momentum with consecutive boundaries but was dismissed attempting to go aerial.
With the target within touching distance, Shivam Dube finished the game in style, smashing a straight six followed by a boundary to complete the chase in 15.5 overs.
Match Summary
South Africa: 117 all out in 20 overs
- Aiden Markram 61
- Varun Chakravarthy 2/11, Arshdeep Singh 2/13
India: 120/3 in 15.5 overs
- Abhishek Sharma 35, Shubman Gill 28
- Corbin Bosch 1/18
Result: India won by 7 wickets
Series Status: India lead 2–1
IMAGE CREDITS : CRICBUZZ
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