India wins by 48 runs; the hosts kept the series alive
Indian bowlers helped the hosts make a stunning comeback win in Visakhapatnam as the Men in Blue kept the series alive. The bowlers kept India on top throughout the second innings.
Harshal Patel picked four wickets, and Yuzvendra Chahal picked three for himself. The two helped India win by an emphatic margin of 48 runs and keep the five-match contest at 1-2. Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal showed his strengths after producing a match-winning spell for India in the third T20I against South Africa in Visakhapatnam.
Indian openers Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad gave the hosts a perfect start in a tough battle in Visakhapatnam. They helped India record their best powerplay score of 57/0 in the series before scripting a 97-run stand in 10 overs, with Gaikwad scoring his maiden fifty.
Ishan then carried the momentum after Gaikwad's dismissal to score his second fifty in the series. But South Africa soon pegged back India with quick wickets and eventually restricted India to 179 for five. Hardik Pandya did provide some finishing touches with his unbeaten 21-ball 31.
Chahal claimed three crucial wickets to dent South Africa's chase as they were bundled out for 131 in reply to India's 179/5. The ace spinner had forgettable performances in the first two matches of the series, where he failed to create any impact. As a result, India suffered crushing defeats in both of them. Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal showed his strengths after producing a match-winning spell for India in the third T20I against South Africa in Visakhapatnam. Chahal claimed three crucial wickets to dent South Africa's chase as they were bundled out for 131 in reply to India's 179/5.