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India continued their strong hold over South Africa in the third T20I at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala, as Arshdeep Singh produced a moment of sheer class to dismiss Reeza Hendricks early. Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, India’s pace attack made full use of the helpful conditions, leaving the visitors struggling at the halfway mark of the innings.
Arshdeep Singh’s perfect setup floors Reeza Hendricks
The standout moment of the first half came courtesy of Arshdeep, who showcased his growing maturity with the new ball. Bowling to Hendricks, Arshdeep first teased the South African opener with two outswingers that shaped away, forcing him to play cautiously. Having planted doubt in the batter’s mind, the left-arm pacer then delivered the decisive blow — a delivery on a length that nipped back sharply.
Hendricks was caught on the crease as the ball struck him on the pads. The on-field decision was reviewed by India, and replays left no room for debate. There was no bat involved, the ball pitched in line, the impact was in line, and it was hitting the leg stump. The review was upheld, and Hendricks departed without scoring, underlining the precision of Arshdeep’s planning and execution.
Here’s the video:
First over, first breakthrough!
puts India on top straightaway. 🔥 3rd T20I | LIVE NOW 👉
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia)
India dominate the halfway session
By the midway point of the innings, India had firmly seized control of the contest. Arshdeep’s wicket set the tone for India’s bowlers, who applied relentless pressure throughout the powerplay and beyond. South Africa found it difficult to build momentum as wickets fell at regular intervals. Harshit Rana emerged as another key contributor, picking up two important wickets to dent the Proteas’ top order.
Hardik Pandya also chipped in with a crucial breakthrough, ensuring that South Africa never truly settled. The disciplined bowling effort was backed by sharp fielding, which further tightened the screws on the visiting batters. Amid the chaos, South Africa skipper Aiden Markram tried to anchor the innings. Batting with composure, Markram remained unbeaten on 28, showing intent without taking unnecessary risks. However, the lack of support from the other end meant South Africa were unable to capitalise on his presence at the crease.
