PAARL, DECEMBER 22
Sanju Samson's maiden hundred in his 16th ODI helped India beat South Africa by 78 runs in the series deciding third game on Thursday.
Samson, promoted to number three, scored 108 runs off 114 balls as India finished with 296-8 in 50 overs. Tilak Varma scored 52 runs.
In response, South Africa was bowled out for 218 runs in 45.5 overs. Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh picked 4-30 in nine overs, while off-spinner Washington Sundar took 2-38.
Tony de Zorzi followed his century in the previous game with 81 runs, but he had little support from other batters.
India had won the first game in Johannesburg before the Proteas equalized in Gqeberha. The preceding T20 series had finished 1-1 with one game washed out.
Put into bat, India made a poor start. Debutant Rajat Patidar managed 22 off 16 balls, before he was bowled. Sai Sudharsan, who had scored consecutive half-centuries in his first two ODIs, was out lbw to Beuran Hendricks for 10.
Samson added 52 runs for the third wicket with skipper Lokesh Rahul, who scored 21. He was caught behind in the 19th over with India in some trouble at 101-3.
But Samson resurrected the innings with a 116-run partnership with Varma for the fourth wicket.
Playing only his fourth ODI, the latter scored a maiden half-century, hitting five fours and a six. He was out caught off Keshav Maharaj, who got the breakthrough in the 42nd over.
Samson reached his milestone off 110 balls, including six fours and two sixes. He fell shortly after, trying to accelerate the scoring rate.
That job fell to hard-hitting Rinku Singh once again, who smacked 38 off 27 balls. He hit three fours and two sixes.
Singh received some help from the tailenders as India managed to get 93 runs in the last 10 overs, thus finishing with a par-plus score.
South Africa made a solid start to its chase with de Zorzi and Reeza Hendricks putting on 59 runs for the first wicket.
Singh made the breakthrough with Hendricks caught behind in the ninth over. Axar Patel bowled Rassie van der Dussen for two runs to make it 76-2.
De Zorzi reached 50 off 54 balls, and put on 65 runs with skipper Aiden Markram, who made 36 runs. The game hung in balance as India made the vital breakthroughs thereafter.
Markram was caught behind off Sundar in a freak dismissal - the ball looped up off his gloves for Rahul to complete an easy catch.
Then, Singh inflicted the big blow - de Zorzi was out lbw in the 30th over.
Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar struck thereafter as South Africa crashed to 177-6. It lost four wickets for 36 runs in the space of 45 deliveries.
The game was sealed when David Miller was caught behind off Kumar for 10.
Singh helped complete the formalities, and finished the series with 10 wickets in three ODIs. He was named player of the series.
A two-test series begins on Dec. 26. The first test will be played in Centurion, while Cape Town will host the second test from Jan, 3.
