![India beat South Africa by 78 runs](https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x960/filters:format(webp)/mazaplay/media/media_files/et0f0TcdmiYaWimI3nlS.png)
Indian Cricket Team (Source - Twitter)
India beat South Africa by 78 runs in the third ODI and won the series as well, in Boland Park, Paarl. Aiden Markram chose to field first after winning the toss. With the majority of their senior players gone, the Men in Blue have made a new side, and a possible new white-ball team as well. India made a couple of changes with Rajat Patidar making his ODI debut alongside Washington Sundar replacing Kuldeep Yadav. After being invited to bat first, India got off to a decent start.
Rajat Patidar made his ODI debut and scored about 22 runs in the first game, while Sai Sudharsan, who had scored two fifties in a row in the opening two ODIs, was back in the pavilion early. With the team struggling at 101/3, captain KL Rahul was also back in the pavilion early. After that, Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson shared a 116-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Samson after a wait of 8 long years scored his maiden ODI hundred against the Proteas. The batter was under pressure after not being able to score runs in the 2nd ODI. Tilak on the other hand scored a brilliant fifty and gave good support to the Kerala-born batter. The 29-year-old batter's highest score was previously against the same side but in home conditions.
Samson scores big
Samson brought up his 100 in just 110 balls, hitting 6 boundaries and 2 sixes. The batter has scored 108 off 114 deliveries and has been one of the finest talents with three centuries in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and has good captaincy skills as well. He rolled up his sleeves and flexed his muscle after bringing up the ton in the 42nd over of the match. Rinku Singh again firepowered towards the end scoring a valuable 38 runs off 27 balls as they posted a defendable score of 297 runs.
In reply, the hosts started off well with another fifty-run partnership from openers Reeza Hendricks and Tony de Zorzi. The former was the first one to be dismissed for 19 runs and the Rassie van der Dussen also failed to score. Skipper Markram and Zorzi built a partnership of 65 runs before the captain was back in the pavilion scoring 32 runs. The latter was also dismissed quickly on a well-made 81 runs. Then wickets kept on falling and the hosts never came back after that being bowled out for 218 runs.
Here's how fans reacted
Only support India cricket
— Isudaiss (@Isudais1) December 21, 2023
Congratulations
— Pranshu Yadav 🇮🇳 (@itsmePranshu) December 21, 2023
Well done Guys 💪
— Pankaj (@Pankaj41627) December 21, 2023
Proud of you 👏
Great achievement for him❤️ congratulations Rahul
— Doggar Sahib (@sadamdoggar) December 21, 2023
Wow Captaincy ✌️🔥
— Ahmer🇵🇰🏏 (@ahmersiyal20) December 21, 2023
Congratulations India 🇮🇳
— Shivaye 🔱 (@shivaye01) December 21, 2023
GOOD CAPTAIN RAHUL 👏
— Shivaye 🔱 (@shivaye01) December 21, 2023
But it's South Africa -A Squad not South Africa
— जय श्री राम (@JaiShreeRam90) December 21, 2023
Kohli wins against South Africa.