3rd T20I: India defeat South Africa by 48 runs to stay alive in series

India kept themselves alive in the five-match series with a comfortable 48-run victory in the third T20 International against South Africa here on Tuesday. Openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan scored half-centuries to reduce India to 179 for five after being called to bat.

The bowlers then came up with an impressive performance to bundle out the Proteas for 131 in 19.1 overs to register their first win of the series.

Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (3/20) and death over specialist Harshal Patel (4/25) shared seven wickets between them.

Earlier, Gaikwad (57 off 35) and Kishan (54 off 35) got off to a perfect start as India looked to post a 200-plus total in their match.

But the South African bowlers came back strongly, claiming quick wickets. After this Hardik Pandya played an unbeaten 31 runs to take India past 175 runs.

Brief Scores:

India 179 for 5 in 20 overs (Ruturaj Gaikwad 57, Ishan Kishan 54; Dwayne Pretorius 2/29)

South Africa 131 all out in 19.1 overs (Heinrich Klaasen 29, Reeza Hendrix 23; Harshal Patel (4/25), Yuzvendra Chahal 3/20)

Originally published at Pen 18