RSA VS IND - 3rd ODI, India tour of South Africa, 2017-18

Another one-sided affair between the number 1 and number 2 ranked sides. The results show the gulf between the two, might be momentary, but also speaks volumes about the impact of the wrist spinners. Virat Kohli. What do I say? The ton machine refuses to slow down. This is the same South African team, barring a few injuries, which won 17 consecutive ODIs on home soil. The tables have turned drastically. They would be hoping for another spin then, more so in their favour. On that note, this is Kumar Abhisekh Das, signing off on behalf of my talented team mates - Akshay Maanay, Pratyush Sinha, Vineet Anantharaman, Nikhil Jadhav and Naga.

(2/2) I was struggling a bit while on 95 but I knew I had to carry on and pull the team out. These are times when you are tested and it is pleasing to go through it and do well. This wicket was not supposed to help the wrist spinners. These two got the maximum out of it. These two back themselves. Today it was outstanding from them as they picked 8 wickets between them. We wanted to bat first and change things a bit. I think our intensity (for the next game) should be more than the previous games. We would try and close the door on them. Having an opportunity, we would take the confidence into the fourth game.

Virat Kohli, Man of the Match: (1/2) Well, (the tour) did not start off that well. I knew I had to come in and get stuck in for us to give ourselves a good chance. I take that kind of mentality into every game. Another pleasing day, individually and as a team as well. I think the pitch started with good pace and bounce. After the 30-over mark it was a drastic change. We immediately cut down our target from 320-330 to 280-290 and ended up with 300-plus. The wicket got slower with the old ball. You had to get adjusted to the pace of the wicket. It got slower as the game progressed. If you lead from the front, it feels even better. Another outstanding partnership with Shikhar. He played outstandingly well. Few runs with MS and a good partnership with Bhuvi in the end helped us.

Aiden Markram: Very disappointing. Yet again not upto the mark. Virat played beautifully and their spinners played a massive part again. But we managed to claw our way back. They are world class spinners. Our batsmen are struggling to pick their spinners even after three games. They are landing the ball in the right areas more often than not. Credit to them. If ABD would be back, it might serve as a massive inspiration.

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Stats: While we wait for the presentations, here's Deepu Narayanan delving deep into India's win:

~ This is the first ever instance of South Africa trailing 0-3 after the first three ODIs of a bilateral series at home
~ This is India's biggest win against SA in SA by runs - by 124 runs. Also South Africa's heaviest defeat in terms of runs at Cape Town
~ 21 wickets by India's spinners in three ODIs so far this series - the most by them in a bilateral series in SA
~ 160* by Kohli is the highest by an Indian captain away from home after Kapil Dev's 175* vs Zim in Turnbridge Wells in 1983
~ Rohit Sharma now has the worst average (12.10) by an Indian batsman in South Africa
~ A hundred off 119 balls was Kohli's joint-slowest in ODIs, level with his World Cup hundred vs Pakistan in Adelaide, 2015
~ Kohli's 12 hundreds (43 innings) as captain is now one better than Sourav Ganguly (142 innings)
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The riposte started on usual note. Amla nipped out early by a sharp in-ducker from Bumrah. But then the resistance from the greenhorn skipper and a resurgent Duminy meant South Africa were in no mood to throw in the towel. But once Kuldeep came in, the bout was reduced to a fight between a punching bag and a marauding opponent. The blows were delivered one after the other and it all came to an end in the 40th over of the second innings. Any guesses for the Man of the Match award. You can harp on that. Would want to know updates on ABD. So, hang on for the presentations.

This is India's largest win (by runs) against South Africa in South Africa. That defines the gaping hole that lies between both the teams. The spinners and Kohli again stood out for the Indians. Kohli scored a seamless 160 and the spin twins plucked out 8 wickets between them to take their tally to 21. Earlier in the day, India were asked to bat. Dhawan looked peerless and Kohli, a bit scratchy. The lines were better from South Africa who had Rohit walking back to the pavilion in the first over. Kohli survived a close LBW scare and then there was no looking back for him. The middle order never capitalized on mini-starts and Bhuvi down the order offered a helping hand to his skipper to ensure India toppled the 300 barrier.

Kuldeep Yadav to Lungi Ngidi, out Lbw!! All over folks! South Africa have been rolled and have been handed another shellacking by 124 runs. Coming to the ball, the googly was flighted up, the batsman went for the slog across the line only to miss it. The replays did show it was going over but then it would have not mattered much. India cannot lose the series anymore! Lungi Ngidi lbw b Kuldeep Yadav 6(6) [4s-1]

Kuldeep Yadav to Lungi Ngidi, THATS OUT!! Lbw!!

Kuldeep Yadav to Lungi Ngidi, FOUR, slogs the ball away and connects well. The ball lands just short of the fence. On the half-volley and into the cushion

Kuldeep Yadav to Lungi Ngidi, no run, the ball turns the other way, away from the right-hander, and the batsman again tries to clobber it but misses

Kuldeep Yadav to Lungi Ngidi, 2 runs, full toss and toe-ended over the man at mid-off. They do come back for a brace

Kuldeep Yadav to Lungi Ngidi, no run, looks for a wild heave and misses. The ball misses the sticks by a whisker as well

Kuldeep Yadav to Lungi Ngidi, no run, presses forward and misses. The ball hits the back pad but was doing enough and Lungi Ngidi survives

Harsha Bhogle: South Africa's lower order has batted with hope as their strongest support. It is not the best way to play spin as they are learning.

Chahal to Rabada, no run, looks to defend, the soft leading edge takes the ball away into the off-side

Chahal to Rabada, SIX, that has gone into the orbit! The batsman knelt down and connected on the flighted ball to send it screeching over cow corner for a maximum

Chandra: "SA finally crosses Kohli!"

Lungisani Ngidi, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Chahal to Tahir, out Caught by Kohli!! The mini-battle might have been won by Tahir but the war goes to Chahal. Again balloons the ball up, the bait was set and the gait from Tahir was to go for the slog sweep. The ball sliced up high and Kohli on the on-side takes a simple catch as the leading edge had not gone anywhere. India are a wicket away from creating history. Tahir c Kohli b Chahal 8(6) [4s-2]

Chahal to Tahir, THATS OUT!! Caught!!