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Xtra Time Web Desk: A brilliant maiden T20I hundred (100 from 48 balls) from Rilee Rossouw and Quinton De Kock’s 43-ball 68 have powered South Africa to a 49-runs win over India in the third and final T20I at Indore on Tuesday. The win was a saving grace for the visitors as they avoided a clean sweep.  Chasing South Africa’s daunting target of 227/3, India fell way short by 49 runs. The hosts managed 178 runs with Dinesh Karthik top-scoring with 46. 

The Indian bowling attack comprising of Harshal Patel, Deepak Chahar, Mohammed Siraj and Umesh Yadav went for almost 11 runs an over, which will be concerning going into the T20 World Cup. The fielding by the Indian players was sub-standard.

Chasing a target of 228 runs to win India sent in Rishabh Pant to open the batting in the absence of KL Rahul. The birthday boy did play some shots in his 14 ball 27 runs knock including two straight boundaries and a six. Captain Rohit Sharma would like to forget this series as he was out for a golden duck. Both Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav did not last long. Dinesh Karthik, who got a promotion at No 4 played some attacking strokes. His 46 run knock off 21 balls had four hits to the fence and similar number of over boundaries. Towards the end Depak Chahar played the long handle to score 31 runs off 17 balls. The hosts were bowled out for 178 runs in 18.3 overs.

Earlier, Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to field first against South Africa. Hosts made three changes, bringing Shreyas Iyer, Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Siraj into the playing XI in place of Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Arshdeep Singh.