IND VS SA 3RD ODI

Right then, KL Rahul goes up to the stand and picks up the series-winning trophy and then joins his teammates who rejoice and pose for a team photo. That marks the end of the white-ball leg of India's tour to South Africa and now the action shifts to hardcore, five-day cricket as the two-match Test series is up next. The first Test will be the 'Boxing Day Test' and will be played at SuperSport Park in Centurion. That game will begin on Tuesday, 26 December at 1.30 pm IST (8 am GMT) but you can join us a lot sooner for the build-up. Till then, take care and goodbye!

KL Rahul, the captain of India says that he is delighted to lead this team of young guns and it is nice to get back on the field after a disappointing World Cup final. He mentions that he always tells everyone to enjoy the game and give it the best shot and let the young players calm their nerves and get used to the international pressure. Adds that it was a fighting series for everyone. He appreciates Sanju Samson for his brilliant performance and is happy that he took this opportunity with both hands. He ends by saying that he will enjoy the night and then go back to practicing for the test series with the test team.

Arshdeep Singh is the Player of the Series for picking up 10 wickets in 3 matches including a stellar five-wicket haul in the first game. He says that there was always something in the wicket throughout the day for the bowlers as it was getting a good grip. Says that their plan was to keep it simple and bowl wicket to wicket and try to get more LBWs, says that they stuck to their plans and executed well which generated positive results for them. Adds that the Indian T20 League has been really a good platform for youngsters like him to brush up their skills as playing with experienced players from different geographies really helps them to improve and learn. Concludes by saying that he loves the chances he is getting and promises to give his 100 percent whenever he gets an opportunity.

Sanju Samson is the Player of the Match for his maiden ODI ton. He says that he is happy to score big in an international match and credits his hard work for this result. He mentions that the ODI format gives you some extra time to analyze the wicket and the opposition's plans. He appreciates Tilak Varma for stepping up at a young age and he feels that he will be a big match player. He also adds that Indian cricket is of a high quality and even the juniors know what is expected of them and they step up to it.

Aiden Markram, the skipper of South Africa is down for a chat. Markram says that it's always nice to be in the series decider with such an active crowd to support them. Says that they were not up to mark. Adds that it was a great day to play cricket but says that it unfortunately did not go well for them. He says that they were good in patches but couldn't build onto the momentum. Says that they will reflect on it and come back stronger. Further adds that the surface didn't change throughout the game and says that 290 was achievable. Concludes that it will be great to be back in the whites and is hopeful for some stronger performance.

The Presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Aiden Markram once again won the toss and put the visitors into bat first. The first innings was filled with ebbs and flows as the South African pacers bowled well after that early burst from debutant Rajat Patidar and picked up a couple of quick wickets. Sanju Samson who was under pressure to perform, did well to absorb the pressure and stitched a couple of partnerships first with Tilak Varma and then with Rinku Singh and Samson upped the ante at the right time. Samson notched up a maiden ton and Rinku Singh peppered the opposition bowlers in the final 10 overs as well to take India close to the 300-run mark. With the ball, Nandre Burger impressed yet again but Beuran Hendricks was the standout with his three wickets and the way he bowled. Coming to the chase, it was neck and neck for the first 30 overs or so after which South Africa self-destructed a bit and that coupled with some tidy bowling, India were able to get the win.

Riding high on confidence from the last game, the opening pair of Reeza Hendricks and Tony de Zorzi started positively with the latter seemingly on a roll. As it has been throughout the series, Hendricks simply didn't look in control and soon fell with an underperforming Rassie van der Dussen soon following suite. De Zorzi and skipper Aiden Markram added on a good partnership but the skipper played a horrible shot to get out and that completely turned the game on its head. De Zorzi couldn't get back-to-back tons and got out on a well-made 81 but the likes of Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller faltered yet again under pressure. There were a few shots played by the lower-order batters but the hosts finished a distant second best.

The stage was set for the Indian bowlers to come out after the halftime break and build on the good foundation laid by their batters. However, it was a sloppy start and they conceded too many boundaries. It was only after Arshdeep Singh changed ends and got rid of Reeza Hendricks that the Indian bowlers showed some level of control. In the next phase though, the spin duo of Axar Patel and Washington Sundar ruled the roost and bogged down the opposition batters. India picked up a couple of wickets but they were still behind. Aiden Markram played an uncharacteristic shot and that opened the door for the bowlers to pile on the pressure. Arshdeep was simply sensational as he ripped through the lower order finishing with a four-fer and Sundar too ended with a couple of solid wickets and so did Avesh Khan.

India have done it, they have got the better of South Africa at their home turf and sealed a memorable series win and its a bit of a sweet revenge as well as they lost 3-0 the last time they played an ODI series in South Africa. This is also just the second loss at Boland Park for the Proteas in 10 outings, the other one coming way back in 2013 against the Kiwis.

OUT! CAUGHT! And India take the series! India pulls off a historic win at this venue as Avesh Khan seals the deal. He bowls it on length and around middle. Beuran Hendricks wanted to scoop it over the keeper and he got into the position very early on. However, he didn't get enough bat on it and ended up lobbing it up to short third. Sanju Samson takes a very easy catch and South Africa are bowled out for 218 at a venue they were expected to be strong at and India win by 78 runs.

Short and outside off, Nandre Burger dabs it down off the back foot to the third man for a single.

Back of a length ball outside off stump, Nandre Burger tries to work it to third man but Sai Sudharsan at the slip dives to his left and stops it. Well fielded by him.

On a good length and slightly outside off, this time Beuran Hendricks makes contact with the ball and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Bowls from around the wicket on a tad fuller length which angles into the left-hander, Beuran Hendricks attempts to whack it and swings hard, but doesn't get any willow on that one.

A wicket-maiden for Arshdeep Singh. He delivers it very full and straight in the block hole. Nandre Burger digs it out on the off side.

A perfect slow yorker on the off pole. Nandre Burger brings his bat down in time to block it out.