Suryakumar Yadav led from the front by scoring a fantastic hundred as India thumped South Africa by 106 runs in the third and the final T20 international to level the series 1-1 at the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Thursday.
After being sent into bat, Indian openers added 29 runs in the first 2 overs. However Keshav Maharaj struck twice in succession- first by trapping Shubman Gill (8), leg before wicket while attempting a sweep and then dismissing Tilak Varma for a golden duck, giving a simple catch to Aiden Markram at mid off.
Yashasvi Jaiswal along with Suryakumar added 112 runs for the third wicket stand before the former holed out to Hendricks at long off off Tabraiz Shamsi for 60.
Yadav then took on debutant Nandre Burger for 14 runs in the 16th over. Rinku Singh (14) then fell in the penultimate over, while attempting a big hit. The Indian skipper brought up his well deserved hundred in the final over off Lizaad Williams. His knock came off just 56 balls with 8 sixes and 7 fours.
The Men in BLue lost two more wickets and eventually ended up with 201/7 in their 20 overs.
In response, South Africa were rocked early as Matthew Breetzke (4) dragged a delivery from Mukesh Kumar onto his stumps. Reeza Hendricks (8) was run out by a brilliant direct hit from Mohammed Siraj.
Henrich Klaasen perished early while trying to take on Arshdeep Singh for 5. Ravi Jadeja then pegged the visitors back by dismissing Aiden Markram, who top edged one too Jaiswal for 25.
Left arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav ran through the middle and lower order by claiming figures of 5/17, as South Africa were bowled out for 95, giving the hosts a convincing 106 run win.
India 201 for 7 (Suryakumar 100, Jaiswal 60, Maharaj 2-26) beat South Africa 95 all out (Miller 35, Kuldeep 5-17) by 106 runs