The third and final ODI between India and South Africa on October 11 in New Delhi will serve as a series decider after a sensational second career century from Shreyas Iyer and a strokeful 93 from Ishan Kishan powered India to a series-levelling 1-1 win by 7 wickets, in the second ODI on Sunday night in Ranchi.
Ishan Kishan was the star of India’s big chase as the hosts finished at a commanding 282/3 in 45.5 overs, in reply to South Africa’s arduous 278/7 batting first at the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) Cricket Stadium in the state capital Ranchi — a venue that is also the homeground for two aggressive wicketkeeper batsmen in Ishan Kishan and former India captain and legend MS Dhoni.
Ishan Kishan toyed with the South African bowlers to smack 93 from only 84 balls, bludgeoning 7 sixes and 4 fours while displaying his ruthless strokeplay on the leg side.
However, the young aggressive batsman, sent in the middle-order in this clash, was caught in the deep on the leg side itself with Reeza Hendricks taking a fine catch off left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin to fall 7 runs short of what would have been his maiden ODI century.
On the other hand, Shreyas Iyer once again displayed his impeccable class and composure in the second ODI, with the right-handed batsman following up his quickfire half-century in the first game of the series at Lucknow with his second ODI century.
Shreyas Iyer finished unbeaten on 113 from 111 balls, hitting 15 fours in the process. He took India past the finish line in the 46th over of the chase, with wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson on the other end reaching a fine 30 not out off 36 balls.
None of the South African bowlers could make an impact on the Indian batsmen on Sunday night, with Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan putting up a strong 161-run stand for the third wicket off just 155 balls to shut out the tourists from the contest.
Earlier in the game, it was Mohammed Siraj bouncing back from a string of ordinary performances to put India in a commanding position. The right-arm fast bowler accounted for the likes of Quinton de Kock (5), Reeza Hendricks and Keshav Maharaj towards the end of the first innings.
Reeza Hendricks was the second-highest run-scorer for South Africa on Sunday with a fine 74, coming off 76 balls studded with 9 fours and 1 six. The right-handed highly-rated Aiden Markram was the highest individual contributor for South Africa, scoring 79 from 89 balls with 7 fours and 1 six.
Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram added129 runs from as many balls for the third wicket to solidify for their side, after they had lost a few wickets at the top.
Notably, South Africa took the field in this game without their regular captain Temba Bavuma, who was replaced by Reeza Hendricks as he was declared unwell for the match.
Temba Bavuma has gone through a string of poor performances with the bat in the three-match T20I series and the first ODI in Lucknow. The left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi was also declared unwell for this game, and he was replaced by another left-armer in Bjorn Fortuin.
The two teams will now move to New Delhi for their series decider to be played on Tuesday at the Feroze Shah Kotla Stadium, following which the South African team will depart for Australia to take part in the ICC T20 World Cup 2022.