IND vs SA 2022-23, Delhi ODI: Kuldeep's 4-for rattles South Africa for 99; social media detonates

Chinaman spinner Kuldeep Yadav grasped four wickets as India spun a web around the South African batters, bundling them out for 99 in the third and final One-Day International (ODI) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Tuesday. The Indian spin trio of Washington Sundar (2/15), Shahbaz Ahmed (2/32) and Kuldeep Yadav (4/18) chose the suitable lengths on a slow Kotla track and inflicted most of the impairment. Pacer Mohammad Siraj (2/17) continued his excellent run, making a solid case for his inclusion in the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup squad. While Washington and Shahbaz scalped wickets upfront, Kuldeep got rid of the tail while missing a hat-trick.

Asked to bat, the South African batters did not impress, descending like ninepins. Quinton de Kock (6) was the first to part after half-heartedly cutting the ball and top-edged it to pacer Avesh Khan at backward point, giving Washington his opening wicket. India then ostensibly got its second wicket when Reeza Hendricks (3) was trapped leg-before before a review turned the umpire's decision in the seventh over.

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Janneman Malan (15) punched Siraj for three boundaries in his straight overs before he dismissed the opener, trying to play go for the pull shot. The Protea batters struggled and appeared off-colour as Siraj seized his second, getting rid of Hendricks (3) next. Aiden Makram (9), whose stay in the middle was for 19 deliveries, became orthodox spinner Shahbaz Ahmed's opening victim, nicking it to wicketkeeper Sanju Samson.

The visitors lingered to 50 in 17.1 overs, but the hosts were all over the place. Skipper David Miller (7) joined Heinrich Klaasen in the middle, but he failed to make a mark. He was bowled as the ball slid in from round the wicket, clipping the outside of the off-stump.

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Brought into the attack in the 20th over, Kuldeep joined the party, with Andile Phehlukwayo failing to study his googly. Klaassen and Marco Jansen added 22 runs, including a four and a six, taking South Africa nearer to the 100-run mark. First, Jansen charged down the pitch for a six over long-on. A few balls later, Klassen hit a four but was dismissed by Shahbaz. Kuldeep then blasted with a three-wicket haul as he cleared up the lower order, while South Africa was skittled in 27.1 overs.
Brief scores: SA 99 in 27.1 overs (Klaasen- 34; Kuldeep- 4/18) vs IND

(With inputs from PTI)