SA v IND 2023-24: Arshdeep Singh and Sanju Samson star in India’s 78-run win; pocket ODI series 2-1

KL Rahul became the second Indian captain after Virat Kohli to win an ODI series in South Africa.

India defeated South Africa in the third and deciding ODI of the series on December 22, 2023 in Paarl. This is India’s only second ODI series win in South Africa after 2018. India was asked to bat first after South Africa captain Aiden Markram won the toss.   

India’s innings had Sanju Samson as the hero, as he made his maiden ODI and international century, scoring 108 with 6 fours and 3 sixes. Along with Tilak Varma’s 52, Samson stabilized Indian innings after losing a few wickets in a cluster.

Then Rinku Singh (38) and Washington Sundar (14) powered India to 296/8 in 50 overs. Beuran Hendricks took 3/63, while Nandre Burger took 2 wickets.

SA v IND 2023-24: Cricket fraternity lauds Sanju Samson as his maiden ODI ton propels India to 296/8 in series-decider

In response, Tony de Zorzi top-scored with 81 and Aiden Markram made 36 runs. However, Washington Sundar and Avesh Khan’s two wickets each hampered Proteas’ progress and Arshdeep finished the deal with 4/30 in 9 overs.

South Africa was bowled out for 218 runs in 45.5 overs and lost the game by 78 runs. This is India’s only second ODI series win in South Africa after Virat Kohli and co. had won 5-1 in 2018. KL Rahul avenged the ODI series loss in 2022 as well when he was India's captain, with this series win.

Sanju Samson was named Player of the Match and Arshdeep Singh got the Player of the Series for his 10 wickets in 3 ODIs.

BRIEF SCORES:

IND 296/8 (S SAMSON 108; T VARMA 52; B HENDRICKS 3/63) defeated SA 218 (T DE ZORZI 81, A MARKRAM 36; A Singh 4/30) by 78 runs.

India won the three-match ODI series 2-1.