Dominant India takes ODI series win against South Africa

NEW DELHI (AP): India thrashed South Africa by seven wickets and nearly 30 overs to spare in the third one-day international and completed a comeback series win on Tuesday.

After South Africa was bowled out for 99, its lowest ODI total against India, the home side polished off the chase in 19.1 overs. It scored 105-3 in quick time, and the scheduled innings’ break was not needed.

India won with 185 balls to spare, handing South Africa its third heaviest defeat on runs in ODIs.

Another series defeat was not the only setback for South Africa. It remained at risk of failing to automatically qualify for the 2023 Cricket World Cup. The Proteas were still 11th in the standings, far below the West Indies in eighth, the cutoff point. South Africa could end up having to add to its schedule the World Cup qualifiers in June.

South Africa won the series opener in Lucknow by nine runs. India won in Ranchi by seven wickets and picked the same side. A wet outfield delayed the match for 30 minutes and India won the toss and bowled first, to no surprise.

South Africa was 26-3 after 10 overs. Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj removed opener Janneman Malan and No. 3 batter Reeza Hendricks. Offspinner Washington Sundar got rid of the other opener, Quinton de Kock as the pitch took spin and turn.

Heinrich Klaasen top scored with 34 off 42 deliveries, but he was the second wicket for left-arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed.

voc in the South Africa lower order. He took four wickets in 4.1 overs and ran through the tail. He finished with 4-18 and South Africa lost its last six wickets for 33 runs to fall to its fourth lowest ODI total.

Siraj, Sundar and Ahmed took two wickets each. Nobody doubted India would make light of the chase. Shikhar Dhawan was lost early for 8, the stand-in skipper run out after a lazy mix-up with Shubman Gill.