South Africa vs India, 3rd T20I - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

The difference between the two sides today was the discipline in bowling. The batters from both teams hit almost the same number of fours and sixes, but South Africa conceded 19 extras whereas India gave away just 6 extras. That is something the home side has to look back on. India have taken a 2-1 lead and in the process ensured the series cannot be lost. South Africa have to do all the work if they are to draw the series in Joburg. That final game is on Friday and we will be here with all the action. Until next time, goodbye and stay safe..

Suryakumar Yadav: Very happy. What we spoke about in the team meeting, we played the brand of cricket we discussed. That's what we have been telling them to do. They do that for the franchise, they do that in the nets. Very happy with the way things are going. Aggression and intent is always not about talking. They have made my job easier when I see them bat like that. I feel we are in the right direction. First time we were 6-7 minutes ahead on the field. He (Tilak) came to my room at Gqeberha and said give me a chance at No. 3, I want to do well and I said go out there and express yourself. He asked for it and he delivered. Very happy for him and his family.

Aiden Markram: Proud of the effort to get that close. Good to see the contributions from the lower order. It was just down to executing what we discussed. This is a ground where you can chase 220. I feel it is almost an over by over thing. If you win those overs you have a great chance. We will see areas to improve for the next game.

Tilak Varma | Player of the Match: I am okay. It was a difficult chance but I am happy we won the game. I cannot put it in words. It was my dream to play for the country and the hundred came at the right time when the team needed it. All credit to Mr. Suryakumar Yadav, our captain. He gave me the opportunity to bat at 3 and told me to express myself. Thanks to him again (turns back at SKY and smiles). I just backed my basics. Pitch was two paced to start with and it wasn't easy for the new batters coming in when Abhishek got out. I was ready to bat long and was waiting for one partnership.

Fastest T20I 50s for South Africa (balls faced)
15 Quinton de Kock vs WI Centurion 2023
16 Marco Jansen vs Ind Centurion 2024
17 Quinton de Kock vs Eng Durban 2020
19 Tristan Stubbs vs Eng Bristol 2022

Fastest T20I 50s vs India (balls faced)
16 Marco Jansen Centurion 2024
19 Cameron Green Hyderabad 2022
20 Johnson Charles Lauderhill 2016
20 Dasun Shanaka Pune 2023

21:13 Local Time, 19:13 GMT, 00:43 IST: India hold their nerve to clinch this thriller and get ahead in the series. When Klaasen took down Varun it looked so on for the Proteas but Arshdeep got him. When Jansen smacked it around it looked so tense but again Arshdeep put his hand up and got him. Two key wickets at key times and India are over the line. At a venue where chasing has been fun, South Africa fancied their chances. Both their openers got starts and threw it away. Markram looked like finally getting a big innings but Varun prised him out. It was a real struggle for Miller at the start but with Klaasen smacking Varun for 23 runs in an over lifted the mood. When Hardik offered him a hit-me ball he got going but Axar took a stunner to get him eventually. It looked like India had the game in the bag but Jansen smacked 26 off the penultimate over to keep the hosts alive. Arshdeep bowled a fine last over to seal the deal.

Arshdeep Singh to Gerald Coetzee, 1 run, fullish delivery, Coetzee toe-ends the slog to long-on and that will do for India. They lead the series 2-1

Arshdeep Singh to Simelane, 1 run, full delivery angling in, Simelane swings it to deep mid-wicket

Arshdeep Singh to Simelane, FOUR, full toss, Simelane manages to loft it over cover for four. Fielder dives in the deep but loses the battle

Andile Simelane, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Arshdeep Singh to Marco Jansen, out Lbw!! Arshdeep Singh got a bit of late away tail on this fullish delivery, Jansen went back to swing it across the line, missed and got hit on the back leg. Question was if it pitched in line with the stumps. Onfield ump felt it didn't. Arshdeep put out a loud appeal and literally pleaded. India used the review to get three reds. End of a brilliant innings from Jansen but he'll be disappointed he didn't take his team over the line. Marco Jansen lbw b Arshdeep Singh 54(17) [4s-4 6s-5]

Arshdeep Singh to Marco Jansen, THATS OUT!! Lbw!!

Arshdeep pleads for LBW and India review again. Nah, pitched outside leg again. No, that is actually in line. Looked like just outside on the first look which is why the onfield ump said no.

Arshdeep Singh to Marco Jansen, SIX, in the airrrr and slammed over cover. Oh has Tilak banged his head hard on the ground as he landed? Oopsy, looks so bad on the replay. Hopefully he's fine. Hit him on the back of the head. He's up on the feet but the physio checks him for concussion. The ball was full and outside off stump as he tried the wide yorker, Jansen got under it and middled it brilliantly to raise his maiden T20I fifty off just 16 balls

Arshdeep Singh to Gerald Coetzee, leg byes, 1 run, full toss from Arshdeep Singh, Coetzee swung and missed. Had the impact been on the back foot he would have been given out. Enough doubt to say no on-field

Soft appeal for LBW and they review. Was a full toss, so has to be impact in line. This looks closer. Oh brushed the front pad first so he might get away. Impact ump's call so he escapes

Hardik Pandya to Marco Jansen, FOUR, now a top edge that flies over the infield and lands safely at fine leg as the fielder was up. Short delivery, Jansen rocks back to pull, thick edge escapes for four more to make it 26 off the over and they need 25 off the final over

Hardik Pandya to Marco Jansen, SIX, slower delivery wide of off, but it sat up so nicely for Jansen to tee off. He picked it right from the hands and Jansen middled it handsomely over mid-off

Hardik Pandya to Marco Jansen, 2 runs, good length delivery on the stumps, Jansen thumps it down the ground but long-off slides and saves two

Hardik Pandya to Marco Jansen, FOUR, outside edge and flies over backward point. Length delivery outside off stump, Jansen looks to loft, thick edge and third man is in so it lands safely