Jaiswal’s maiden century fires India to 9-wicket win, seals series 2-1
Yashasvi Jaiswal announced his arrival in one-day international cricket with a composed yet stirring maiden century, guiding India to a dominant nine-wicket victory in the series decider against South Africa here on Saturday. The 23-year-old anchored a clinical chase with remarkable calm, and with help from senior opener Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, ensured India wrapped up the three-match series 2-1 with an authority that thrilled a nearly 27,000-strong home crowd.
South Africa’s 271 appeared competitive for most parts of the first innings, especially after Quinton de Kock’s fluent 106 carried them to a strong position midway. But a disciplined Indian bowling performance, led by Prasidh Krishna’s incisive second spell and Kuldeep Yadav’s tidy wicket-taking bursts, reeled the visitors back and limited them to a manageable total. The chase that followed, however, transformed the match into a one-sided show as India cruised home with 10.1 overs to spare.
Jaiswal’s unbeaten 116 off 121 deliveries stood out not just for the milestone but for the temperament behind it. The left-hander, playing only his fourth ODI, began cautiously and took his time settling on a surface that offered some early movement. Rohit’s reassuring presence at the other end proved crucial, allowing the youngster space to play himself in. The Indian captain absorbed the early pressure, rotated the strike efficiently and, when set, unfurled his trademark swivel pull shots that soared into the stands. He raced to a half-century in 54 deliveries and appeared well on course for a hundred of his own.
Rohit’s dismissal on 75, swept tamely to Keshav Maharaj, was the lone blemish in an otherwise seamless chase. By then, he had stitched a 155-run opening stand with Jaiswal in 25.5 overs, laying the foundation that reduced the rest of the chase to a formality. Virat Kohli then joined the in-form opener and immediately shifted gears, crafting a fluent unbeaten 65 off 45 balls. His assured strokeplay, combined with Jaiswal’s growing confidence, kept the scoring brisk and South Africa’s bowlers bereft of ideas.
Jaiswal brought up his century in 111 deliveries with a single off Corbin Bosch, breaking into an energetic celebration marked by a sprint, leap and punch in the air, a moment that captured his relief and joy. From there, India coasted, with the Jaiswal-Kohli partnership adding 156 runs for the second wicket as the hosts overhauled South Africa’s 271 in 39.5 overs.
Earlier, South Africa had threatened a far bigger total, courtesy of de Kock’s polished 106, his 23rd ODI hundred. The left-hander rode on India’s inconsistent lengths early on, particularly punishing Prasidh Krishna and debutant Harshit Rana. De Kock reached his fifty in 42 balls and maintained a strong tempo while adding 113 for the second wicket with captain Temba Bavuma, who contributed a composed 48. At 168 for two in the 28th over, the visitors seemed perfectly placed to push for 300.
But India clawed back through Jadeja’s removal of Bavuma and then Prasidh’s remarkable second spell that turned the innings on its head. Returning for his second burst, the pacer delivered an inspired four-over spell that cost him just 11 runs and brought three wickets. He trapped Matthew Breetzke plumb in front, removed Aiden Markram cheaply, and then produced a perfect full-length delivery to bowl de Kock, halting South Africa’s momentum abruptly.
From 168 for two, the visitors stuttered to 199 for five, losing three wickets in a space of three overs. This collapse exposed the lower order, allowing Kuldeep Yadav to run through the tail with figures of 4/41 as South Africa folded short of what was considered a par total on this pitch.
India’s response left little doubt about the direction of the match. With Jaiswal blossoming, Rohit steadying and Kohli asserting, the hosts marched to a decisive win one built on maturity, discipline and flair across departments.
Brief Scoreboard
South Africa – 271 all out in 49.4 overs
Quinton de Kock 106 (89), Bavuma 48 (67), Breetzke 28 (33); Kuldeep Yadav 4/41, Prasidh Krishna 4/66, Ravindra Jadeja 1/42, Arshdeep Singh 1/34.
India – 271/1 in 39.5 overs
Yashasvi Jaiswal 116 (121), Rohit Sharma 75 (73), Virat Kohli 65 (45);
Keshav Maharaj 1/52.