Virat Kohli’s decision to bat first after winning the toss in the third and final T20I against South Africa in Bengaluru backfired as India could only score 134/9 in their full quota 20 overs.
Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan got India off to a flying start but Rohit once again couldn’t capitalize on to the start like last game and fell on nine.
Captain Kohli also couldn’t repeat his last match’ performance and fell exactly on the same score as Rohit. Dhawan top-scored for India with his 25-ball 36.
South Africa skipper Quinton de Kock led his side’s chase from the front and remained unbeaten on 79 off just 52 deliveries, helping the Proteas chase down the total with nine wickets in hand and more than three overs to go.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
South Africa were excellent tonight, dominated for a big win from a y🐠oung inexperienced team.
— Graeme Smith (@GraemeSmith49)
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 🇿🇦 🔥
— Faf Du Plessis (@faf1307)
Yessssss Proteas.. great comeback lads.. lead from the front pr𓄧oper bowling effort from the unit to set it up.. 🔥🔥
— JP Duminy (@jpduminy21)
Well done on the come back in the series will India persist with the same plan of playing longer batting up or change the plan going forward… whats your take guys??
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan)
At the end of the first six overs, India were 54/1. Lost 8 wickets for 80 wickets in the next 14 overs.
Credit to SA for a clinical win.
India did experiment — batted first at Chinnaswamy which no captain had ever done in T20Is
India missed the wrist spinners.— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang)
Bowling won it for India in Mohali. Batting let India down in Bengaluru.
India’s walking a new road….first hurdle encounter tonight.— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash)
//twitter.com/hershybru/sta𓆉tus/1175810744673284103
India 1 Sꦿouth Africa 1.. been a good ♑series for both the team congratulations to both the team captain played well..deepak Chahar bowled well 🏏
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh)
India’s poor batting🍬 compounded by poor bowling. Le💎ngth too short, asking for punishment and getting it. Easy peasy for SA
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah)
Yes boys!! 🙌 how good is at the moment?!
— Marizanne Kapp (@kappie777)
This man loves batting agai🌄nst India!! congratulations on the win captain 🏏
— Reema Malhotra (@ReemaMalhotra8)
An outstanding win for SA, showed India how to play at a home venue which should be loss that should sting no matter approach. It's the tactics and the chances of them coming off. Will help if India learn the right lessons. Individuals have saved side before, may not happen ahead
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS)
– series 1-1
But South Africa should take the series if we consider t🍎he results on NRR!— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman)
Miserable day of sport . Man Utd lose . Ind🀅i✱a lose . Sucks !!
— Rohan Gavaskar (@rohangava9)
