Match Center

Temba Bavuma takes the silverware and his teammates join him in celebration. It has been a good series for South Africa in both Tests and ODIs. It was our pleasure to bring the action to all of you and we thank you for your company. We have plenty of cricket coming up in the next couple of months so make sure that you join us for the same. Cheers for now!

The winning skipper, Temba Bavuma, says that things got a bit crazy towards the end and they got a bit complacent. Adds that the series win is very satisfying and many people didn't think that they could win and they are happy to perform well against India. Praises Quinton de Kock for the way he played and says that he showed why he is such an asset for the team. Says that the batters have been great in the series and the bowlers have been good too. Mentions that winning against India in Tests and ODIs will do them a world of good. Finishes by saying that the Test series was probably the hardest series that he has been a part of and it was also a mental challenge for him so he is proud of how they played.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH AND PLAYER OF THE SERIES, Quinton de Kock says that it wasn't flat at all and it was a sort of wicket on which you're never set. He adds that the fact that he has scored heavily against India is because they generally play on good wickets. Mentions that they came here from Paarl, match ready and it was a long time since he last played an ODI and came into the series with not much preparation but is happy to perform the way he did. He adds that they have a great group of guys who look to joke around with each other and the atmosphere in the camp is quite good. Ends by joking that his daughter is calling out her mom and not him.

The losing captain, KL Rahul, says that Deepak Chahar gave them a chance to win but it is disappointing to lose this one. Adds that the batters have not done well in the series and at times their shot selection has been poor. Mentions that they had a decent series where they played well in patches but didn't put the pressure on the opposition for long periods. Says that they brought in a lot of energy but lacked in skill a bit. Adds that they have had a great time here in South Africa and thanks CSA for the way the tour was organized and executed. Finishes by saying that they will go back home with a lot of things learned and hopefully, emerge a stronger side.

... Presentation ceremony ...

This is what you call, 'so close, yet so far!' Midway through the innings, India looked to be breezing through the chase with Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli both notching up half-centuries but then came the slump. Rishabh Pant followed Dhawan back to the pavilion in no time and once Kohli fell, a few overs later, it was all but game over. Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav did put on a 39-run partnership but neither could take their team over the line. With well over 50 runs still required, it was Deepak Chahar who single-handedly brought the visitors back into the contest with a fiery 54-run knock. Unfortunately for him and frustratingly for India, his attempt to finish the game in style cost him his wicket and India still needed 10 runs. Jasprit Bumrah, who had given Chahar great support, too couldn't get the team over the line and they suffered a heartbreaking loss.

South Africa already had a good score on the board and they made it even tougher for their opponents when KL Rahul was dismissed early on. After that though, they found it difficult to find the breakthrough and were dominated by Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan. They were looking out of the contest midway through the second innings but then Andile Phehlukwayo came in and got rid of Shikhar Dhawan and Rishabh Pant in the same over. This turned the tables completely and the hosts got rid of a well-set Kohli soon after. They were put on the back foot once again by Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav but managed to get them out and looked on course for a 3-0 victory. The game looked done at that point but a storm by the name of Deepak Chahar came and it looked like the hosts were gone for all money. He got boundaries at the right point and it looked like India would get over. But his wicket in the 48th over gave South Africa a well-deserved win.

My word! What a riveting game of cricket we have just witnessed here! Well, it did go down to the wire and either team could have won it in the end but it was South Africa who held their nerve in the end and have managed to win the series 3-0. India slump down to yet another defeat and this one will surely hurt the most. India were down and out before that blinder of a knock by Deepak Chahar. He got them back on top but his wicket saw another collapse and they lost by the barest of margins!

OUT! TAKEN! IT IS ALL OVER! What a seesaw! India just cannot get a win here and Deepak Chahar is heartbroken! Short ball, on the body. Chahal decides to pull it away but gets the outside edge. The ball goes high in the air to cover. David Miller takes an easy catch and South Africa win by 4 runs! They win the series 3-0! What a game of cricket! A pure entertainer!

On a length, around off. Krishna taps it towards short third man for one. 5 from 5.

Now then. 6 from the last over. Dwaine Pretorius has been trusted by his skipper to bowl the final over. Also, Quinton de Kock is standing up to the stumps. Not sure if that's the best tactic incase of an outside edge.

DOT BALL! 6 needed from the last over. Fuller, around off. Chahal pushes it but straight to the man at point. Phew, this is going down to the wire.

Krishna gets a single! Slower and a length ball, outside off. He works it past cover for one. Big ball coming up. 6 needed from 7. Chahal on strike.

DOT BALL! GOLD DUST! Yorker, on the pads. Blocked out to the leg side.

Prasidh Krishna is the last man in for India.

OUT! TAKEN! MY WORD! How did we get here? The game should have been over some time ago! Full and outside off. Bumrah goes for the glory shot and looks to hit it over mid off. Doesn't get the elevation and hits it to the left of mid off. Temba Bavuma moves to his left and takes it! 7 needed with a wicket in hand.

Quick single! A low full toss, wide outside off. Chahal hits it wide of mid off. The fielder gets there but misses his shy at the bowler's end.