In an exciting finale at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, Suryakumar Yadav showcased his captaincy prowess, guiding the Indian men’s cricket team to a resounding 106-run victory over South Africa in the third T20 match. This triumph leveled the series, with both teams securing a win each after the first T20 was washed out and South Africa claimed victory in the second game.

Batting first, India posted a challenging total of 201/7, fueled by Yashasvi Jaiswal's initial fireworks and later anchored by Suryakumar Yadav's scintillating century. The Indian captain's remarkable innings of 100 runs off 56 balls, featuring eight sixes and seven fours, earned him the player of the match award. This century also equaled the record for the most T20 tons in international cricket, a feat shared with Rohit Sharma and Glenn Maxwell.

Despite a strong start by South Africa's Keshav Maharaj, Suryakumar Yadav, along with Yashasvi Jaiswal, built a crucial partnership that propelled India to 87/2 in the first ten overs. The momentum continued as Yadav and Jaiswal plundered 54 runs in the next four overs. Although Jaiswal's departure in the 14th over disrupted the flow, Suryakumar Yadav's presence steered India to a formidable total.

In response, the Indian bowlers, led by Mohammed Siraj's early brilliance, restricted South Africa from the outset. Aided by Kuldeep Yadav's career-best figures of 5/17, South Africa's batting lineup crumbled, managing only 95 runs in 13.5 overs. This comprehensive victory sealed the T20 series draw for India.

Looking ahead, the Indian cricket team now gears up for a three-match ODI series against South Africa, commencing this Sunday. The series promises to be another exciting contest as both teams seek to assert their dominance in the 50-over format.

Picture Credit - The Indian Express