Quinton de Kock became the joint second-fastest wicket-keeper to complete 1000 runs in T20Is and fastest South African wicketkeeper-batsman to do so as he scored a match-winning 79* as South Africa fought back from 0-1 down to beat India by nine-wickets and 20 balls to spare. The South African skipper, in the process, also completed 1000 runs in T20I cricket and recorded successive fifties against India. South Africa first restricted India to 134/9 in 20 overs before chasing it down in 16.5 overs with nine wickets in hand. The victory helped South Africa level the T20I series and deny India their maiden T20I series victory over the Proteas at home. South Africa also now lead India  3:1 on T20I head-to-head records for matches played in India. India Vs South Africa, Cricket Score 3rd T20I Match.

De Kock, whose valient half-century couldn't power South Africa to a victory in the 2nd T20I game at Mohali, remained not out on 79 - his highest individual score in T20Is - while Temba Bavuma scored 27* from 23 deliveries as South Africa comfortably rode home. Bavuma hit the winning runs - a gigantic six off Krunal Pandya - to take South Africa home but it was a De Kock show on display. Right from the moment, when the standing South African captain smashed Deepak Chahar for consecutive sixes in the powerplay, it looked like the 26-year-old was on a mission. His 79 runs from only 52 deliveries consisted of five sixes and six fours.

Earlier, Kagiso Rabada took a three-wicket haul, including the prized scalp of Kohli, to help South Africa restrict India to 134 runs. Bjorn Fortuin and Beuran Hendricks also chipped in with two wickets apiece. As many as five Indian batsmen were dismissed for single-digit scores, with opener Shikhar Dhawan finishing as the highest run-scorer for India. Both Rohit Sharma and Kohli were out for 9 runs. Apart from Dhawan, only three other batsmen reached double figures but none could cross the 20-run figure.

Brief Scores: IND 134/9 (Shikhar Dhawan 36; Kagiso Rabada 3/39) Lost to SA 140/1 in 16.5 Overs (Quinton de Kock 79; Hardik Pandya 1/23)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 22, 2019 10:23 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).