India take T20 series 2-1 but South Africa wins Indore game. 5 key takeaways

Rilee Rossouw played a knock that would reassure the South African team ahead of the world cup. His unbeaten century consisted of eight sixes and seven fours.

Image from the India vs South Africa third T20I match in Indore | Twitter/@BCCI

New Delhi: India entered the third T20 match against South Africa Tuesday after two back-to-back wins.

But South Africa’s target of 228 runs was too much for the Indian side that was testing the squad. The South Africans won the match in Indore by 49 runs.

The Indian team won the series by 2-1.

The third match was crucial for both the teams ahead of the T20 World Cup. Even though India won the last match, South Africans showed what they were capable of in the high scoring match

After a dominant performance from the Indian side, South Africa looked to pick the batting from where David Miller and Quinton De Kock had left it, scoring a partnership of 174 runs.

ThePrint looks at some key talking points from the third T20I.

1. Rossouw’s two zeros and a century

Rilee Rossouw played a knock that would reassure the South African team ahead of the world cup. His unbeaten century consisting of eight sixes and seven fours charmed spectators. After Miller and De Kock found their lost form in the last match, Rossouw took charge of the match scoring a 100 off just 48 balls.

2. Quinton De Kock finds his form

While Rossouw’s century would be the highlight of the South African batting, De Kock’s knock holds more significance with the world cup in sight. Coming with an average of 6 runs in five T20s before the series, De Kock’s back-to-back 50s would be of great relief as his partner opener Temba Bavuma is yet find his form

3. Indian bowling falters

While the last two matches were relatively assuring that the Indian pace attack was in safe hands, baring some concerns around death bowling, Tuesday was not a bowlers night. It was only Ashwin whose economy stood at less than 10 runs an over. In the absence of Bumrah and non availability of Arshdeep, the Indian pace attack looked like it was in serious trouble

4. DK- not just the finisher

Dinesh Karthik, India’s newly-found consistent and reliable finisher showed that he was capable of playing up the order as well. Coming at number four, Karthik scored 46 off 21 balls. At a time when no one among the Indian batsmen could settle down, opener Rishabh Pant scored 27 off 14 and Deepak Chahar reassured with his all-round skills

5. Rabada leads South Africa’s pace

With an economy rate of 6.00, ace South African bowler Kagiso Rabada showed how things are done on a pitch that was suitable for batsmen. The South African pace attack took a total of eight wickets, whereas the lone spinner took 2 wickets for 34 runs.

Months away from the world cup, both teams have something to take back. While India still needs to find the right rhythm in death bowling, many South African players also need to find their form, led by captain Bavuma.