India beats South Africa by 78 runs, Wins ODI Series 2-1

In the third and final ODI at Paarl, South Africa on Thursday, India overcame a heavy setback in the second match to overcome South Africa by 78 runs. India won the three-match series 2-1 with this victory

Even though the hosts were the favorites over the youthful Indian team, KL Rahul and the boys showed the depth of Indian talent. The victory held particular significance for captain KL, as he exacted revenge for the devastating rout his team endured in the rainbow nation in 2021–2022.

With the support of Arshdeep Singh's bowling attack and Sanju Samson's century, India won an ODI series against South Africa. After Virat Kohli in 2018,KL Rahul was the only other Indian captain to skipper his country to a bilateral ODI series victory in South Africa. During India's final tour of South Africa in 2022, Rahul was given a 3-0 loss in his first assignment as ODI captain, but it was a moment of redemption.

With a star-studded team, India led by Virat Kohli had demolished South Africa in a 6-match ODI series, winning it 5-1. But throughout three matches, new stars like Arshdeep Singh and Sai Sudharsan stepped up, and KL Rahul managed to win with a second-string team.

The ODI series finale was a character test for the younger team, particularly after they suffered a crushing loss in the second ODI in Gqeberha. India, however, ignored the unfavorable outcome and concentrated on the task at hand—a clinical demonstration at Boland Park. On a steamy day at Paarl, India was put to bat first, and due to an injury to Ruturaj Gaikwad, rookie Rajat Patidar opened with Sai.

In his first ODI, Rajat seemed strong, scoring 22 off 16, but young Nandre Burger smashed him. The brilliant left-arm bowler, who was signed by the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2024 Auction, appeared about to destroy the Indian batting lineup once more, but Sanju Samson intervened and played a composed blow even as India lost Sai not long after.

Samson assumed the role of a seasoned player on a challenging pitch and produced a "career-defining" innings of 108 off 114 balls.

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