Yashasvi Jaiswal scored his first unbeaten century in ODIs, leading India to a nine-wicket victory in the final match and securing a 2-1 series win against South Africa on Saturday.
The outcome was almost certain once Jaiswal (116 not out from 121 balls) and Rohit Sharma (75 from 73 balls) formed a 155-run partnership in 25.5 overs, with India finishing at 271 for one in 39.5 overs, chasing 271.
Virat Kohli added a stylish 65 not out off 45 balls.
Despite Quinton de Kock’s impressive 106 off 89 balls, his 23rd ODI century, the Indian batsmen dominated the match.
Jaiswal initially struggled in his innings, but Rohit’s steady presence was a significant support.
Rohit guided Jaiswal, playing only his fourth ODI, through early difficulties and contributed
the bulk of the scoring.
Rohit reached his fifty in 54 balls, not as quick as usual but still punctuated with his trademark pull shots, three of which went for sixes, adding aggression to the innings.
This helped Jaiswal accumulate runs steadily, reaching his fifty in 75 balls. Once Jaiswal passed fifty, he gained confidence and started playing more freely, executing drives and cuts he had avoided earlier.
Rohit, the fourth Indian batsman to reach 20,000 international runs after Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Kohli, seemed set for another century.
However, his innings was cut short by a sweep off left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj. Jaiswal, with Kohli, continued to push India’s innings forward.
The 23-year-old reached his century in 111 balls with a single off pacer Corbin Bosch, celebrating energetically with a sprint, jump, roar, and punch in the air.
Jaiswal and Kohli added 156 runs for the second wicket as India comfortably achieved the target, thrilling a crowd of nearly 27,000.
Earlier, disciplined bowling helped India restrict South Africa to a manageable total, led by pacer Prasidh Krishna (4/66) and Kuldeep Yadav (4/41).
After Arshdeep Singh dismissed Ryan Rickelton early, De Kock (106 off 89 balls) scored his seventh century against India, adding 113 runs off 124 balls with captain Temba Bavuma (48 off 67 balls) to put South Africa in a strong position.
De Kock was aggressive against Prasidh, capitalising on his errors in length during his first spell (2-0-27-0), scoring 18 runs off his second over.
De Kock reached fifty in 42 balls and maintained his momentum, completing his century in 79 balls.
India temporarily relieved pressure when Ravindra Jadeja induced a false shot from Bavuma, caught by Kohli at point.
South Africa regained momentum with a 54-run partnership between De Kock and Matthew Breetzke for the third wicket, reaching 168 for two in 28 overs.
However, Breetzke’s attack on part-time spinner Tilak Varma prompted Indian captain KL Rahul to bring back Prasidh for a second spell.
Prasidh’s second spell (4-0-11-3) was decisive, breaking South Africa’s top and middle order.
Breetzke was trapped in front, followed by Aiden Markram’s catch to Kohli at short covers. Prasidh then bowled De Kock, whose cross-batted swipe missed a full delivery.
South Africa collapsed to 199 for five, losing three wickets in three overs.
Once Prasidh dismantled the top and middle-order, Kuldeep (4/41) cleaned up the tail, leaving South Africa short of a competitive total.
(With agency inputs)
