Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli overtook each other for most runs scored in Twenty20 internationals but failed to get going as India could only muster 134/9 after opting to bat first. Kagiso Rabada took three wickets – including the prized scalp of Kohli – while Beuran Hendricks and Bjorn Fortuin returned with two wickets each. Shikhar Dhawan was the top run-scorer for India with a 36 from 25 deliveries accompanied by two sixes and four fours. None of the other batsmen managed to stay for more than 20 deliveries with most getting out trying to smash length balls out of the park. South Africa needs 135 runs win the 3rd and final T20I game and level the three-match T20I series. India Vs South Africa, Cricket Score 3rd T20I Match.

Rohit – who needed 8 runs to Kohli before the start of the 3rd T20I game – smashed consecutive boundaries off Kagiso Rabada in the second over to regain the top position in T20I run-scoring charts but could make only one more run before edging out a Beuran Hendricks delivery to Reeza Hendricks at first slip. In stepped Kohli, just one run away from overtaking Rohit. He comfortably got there but was eventually out even before he could get going. The Indian skipper holed out a Rabada delivery to mid-wicket. Both Kohli and Rohit departed for 9 runs as India struggled to increase the scoring ante.

Rishabh Pant, continuing his lengthy yet disappointing stay at number 4, steadied the innings for some time with his IPL captain Shreyas Iyer. But after hitting one four and six each during his 20-ball stay at the crease, Pant was dismissed while chasing a Bjorn Fortuin delivery outside the off-stump. A ball later his partner Iyer was stumped as he stepped out to smash a glory shot, Pant is often associated with. As many as five Indian batsmen departed for single-digit scores, with only Dhawan, Pant, Hardik and Krunal Pandya reaching double-figures. Dhawan ended as the highest run-scorer with none of the other batsmen crossing 19 runs.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 22, 2019 08:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).