On Tuesday, October 4, India and South Africa played the third and final T20I of the series at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore. The hosts made various changes to the starting eleven after winning the first two games to take an unbeatable series lead. By removing the potentially hazardous Quinton de Kock in the first innings, one of those substitutions, Shreyas Iyer, had an immediate impact.
The hosts made the decision to rest KL Rahul and Virat Kohli because the series was already won. As India entered the series finale with a bowling-heavy side, Shreyas Iyer was added to the squad. Iyer, who is noted for his beautiful middle strokes, put on an electric display in the field. Before ending his batting partner Quinton de Kock’s explosive innings, he nearly ran out Rilee Rossouw with a sharp toss from deep earlier in the inning. Before Iyer’s stunning throw from mid-wicket caught the explosive wicketkeeper-batter well short at the crease in the 13th over, he appeared to be in a good mood.
In regards to the South African innings, Rohit Sharma won the toss and decided to put the visitors in to bat first. As Temba Bavuma continued to struggle with the bat, he was out for an eight-ball three on a batting paradise. The captain’s dismissal didn’t deter the Proteans, though, as Quinton de Kock and Rilee Rossouw attacked the Indian bowlers. QDK destroyed the Indian bowlers with some of his signature strokes on the leg side after regaining his form with a half-century in the previous match. The southpaw had accrued 68 runs in 43 pitches by the time he was removed. However, Rossouw resumed his onslaught from the other end when Mohammed Siraj dropped him early in the innings, so India’s agony did not end there.
