Spinner Kuldeep Yadav’s 4-18 shone during a superb Indian bowling attack that clinched their one-day series against South Africa with a crushing seven-wicket win on Tuesday.
The hosts skittled South Africa for 99 in 27.1 overs in the third-match decider, after electing to bowl on a pitch dampened by days of rain in New Delhi.
Shubman Gill made 49 as India chased down their target in 19.1 overs, winning the series 2-1 with a second-string side after Rohit Sharma and team departed for the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia.
Kuldeep, a left-arm wrist spinner, came into the attack with South Africa five down and wiped off the tail, striking twice on successive balls before ending the innings with the wicket of Marco Jansen.
Spinner Washington Sundar, who bowled the first over and returned with two wickets, helped set up the second straight win for the hosts.
Sundar was handed the new ball and the lanky off-spinner struck in his second over to send back Quinton de Kock, caught at short third man for six.
Pace bowler Mohammed Siraj rattled the top order with the wickets of Janneman Malan, for 15, and Reeza Hendricks, for three, to put South Africa on the backfoot.
The Proteas slipped further to 43-4 after Aiden Markram’s departure as the batsman fell caught behind off left-arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed for nine.
Heinrich Klaasen, who top-scored with 34, attempted to rebuild with David Miller, who was making his captaincy debut with regular skipper Temba Bavuma and Keshav Maharaj both unwell.
But Sundar bowled the left-handed Miller for seven and the rest of the batting quickly caved in.
Shahbaz, who made his ODI debut in the previous match, bowled Klaasen and in between the change of batsmen a dog walked on the field to provide some entertainment to the crowd.
It was South Africa’s fourth-lowest total in 50-over matches, after their 69 all out in Sydney and then twice being bowled out for 83.
India had little trouble in reply despite skipper Shikhar Dhawan getting run out on eight and Ishan Kishan falling for 10 off left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin.
Gill, who started the chase with a string of boundaries, kept up the attack with previous-match centurion Shreyas Iyer, who hit an unbeaten 28 and the winning six.
The defeat leaves South Africa on the brink of missing a direct qualification for next year’s ODI World Cup in India.
Here’s a look at the reactions for the match today:
A Kuldeep Yadav show in his home IPL ground, 4 wickets for just 18 runs from 4.1 overs - A great return to Kuldeep. pic.twitter.com/WlxfZZwcc6
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 11, 2022
Avesh has been quite unlucky to not end with even a single wicket in this ODI series. Bowled decently overall and was good with the new ball.
— Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) October 11, 2022
Kuldeep Yadav is in an absolute mood today 😎 #INDvSA
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) October 11, 2022
This is the first time India bowled out South Africa for under 100 in men's ODIs.
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) October 11, 2022
South Africa is in a hurry to reach Australia for the T20 World Cup.
— India Fantasy (@india_fantasy) October 11, 2022
99 problems...
— Firdose Moonda (@FirdoseM) October 11, 2022
South Africa's lowest score against India in ODIs and third lowest of all time. Also the second time they have bowled out for under 100 in ODIs THIS YEAR. #INDvSA
Kuldeep yavad’s form and year 2022 just keep getting better. Good for Indian cricket. #INDvsSA
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) October 11, 2022
Such a shame that Gill fell short of what would have been a well deserved fifty. The class in his stroke-play is evident.
— Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) October 11, 2022
Just hope he works out the minor issues in his game soon, such as the issue against the incoming ball.
How good is Gill! Just exudes different class when he bats. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) October 11, 2022
ODIs in 2022:
— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) October 11, 2022
Dhawan: 567 runs @ 40.5, SR: 74.6
Gill: 530 runs @ 75.7, SR: 107.5#INDvSA
That's a very very good series win for India. To beat this SA side, full strength with this XI, is a good sign. Things to work on but thus is top stuff. Very good 2-1 series win for India. Shreyas, Siraj, proper positives. 🌟#INDvSA
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) October 11, 2022
Domination of Indian cricket. pic.twitter.com/xlJqqO0ozR
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 11, 2022
How cool is Kuldeep! Genuine wicket taking option. Should surely be in India's scheme of things for the 2023 WC
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) October 11, 2022
Kuldeep - 4️⃣/1️⃣8️⃣
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) October 11, 2022
Washi - 2️⃣/1️⃣5️⃣
Siraj - 2️⃣/1️⃣7️⃣
Shahbaz - 2️⃣/3️⃣2️⃣
A flawless performance from the #TeamIndia bowlers ensures that 🇿🇦 are bowled out for 99!#INDvSA | 📸: BCCI pic.twitter.com/yl8W6RUdG3
Indian Spinners with Most 4fers in ODI
— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) October 11, 2022
10 - Anil Kumble
8 - Ravindra Jadeja
7 - Yuzvendra Chahal
6 - Kuldeep Yadav*
6 - Sachin Tendulkar#INDvsSA
When Kuldeep is on top of his game, his bowling is a treat to watch.
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) October 11, 2022
Old school spin bowling.
Biggest wins in India-South Africa ODIs (by balls remaining):
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) October 11, 2022
185 - IND at Delhi, today
177 - IND at Centurion, 2018
164 - IND at Nairobi, 1999#INDvSA
This is the 9th time (by far, the most by any ODI side!), India has won a series 2-1 after losing the opening game!
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) October 11, 2022
And since Dec 2017, India has done this on six occasions! #IndvSA #IndvsSA#SAvInd #SAvsInd
(Text from AFP)