India vs South Africa Live Score, 3rd T20I: India struck early blows in the third T20I at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on Sunday. It has dented South Africa’s top order inside the opening overs. Harshit Rana claimed the prized wicket of Quinton de Kock, dismissing the left-hander for 1. Arshdeep Singh on the other hand had already made an immediate impact by breaking the opening stand in the very first over, sending Reeza Hendricks back for a three-ball duck. Earlier, India captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and opted to bowl, backing his attack to exploit the conditions under lights.

India will aim to bounce back when they take on South Africa in the third T20I in Dharamsala’s HPCA Stadium. The series is currently tied at 1-1. More than just a lead is at stake in tonight’s game. A victory here could shape momentum and belief as both sides fine-tune their plans ahead of the T20 World Cup.

South Africa’s triumph in Chandigarh was a rare dent in India’s recent dominance. It was only India’s third loss in 17 matches this year and notably, their first defeat after winning the toss since January. Last year, India suffered just one such loss across the entire season.

South Africa have enjoyed a strong tour of India so far. The Proteas began with an upset in the Test series, followed by pushing the ODIs to a decider and continuing to challenge the hosts in the T20Is. As the series moves to Dharamsala, the tour enters its final phase. Both the teams are aware that the outcome of the match at the HPCA Stadium could play a key role in determining momentum ahead of the remaining two fixtures.

India: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sanju Samson (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, Reeza Hendricks, Corbin Bosch, George Linde, Tony de Zorzi, Ottneil Baartman, Kwena Maphaka

That’s more like the SKY we know — at least for a moment. Ngidi drops it short of a length and Suryakumar Yadav pounces, those trademark quick hands sending the ball sailing over mid-off and bouncing just inside the rope for four. He follows it up in style, latching onto a short ball and whipping it over midwicket.

But the promise fades just as quickly. Going for another big hit next ball, SKY doesn’t get enough on it. What was once a shot he dispatched regularly for six turns into a mistimed flick — all height, no distance. Baartman judges it perfectly and completes a neat running catch. Suryakumar walks back with 12 off 11, another brief cameo that does little to ease the concerns around his form. IND need 9 runs off 30 balls.

Shubman Gill departs. Yet another innings for the vice-captain........

© The Financial Express