India roared back from their second T20I defeat in South Africa with a dominant 106-run victory in the series decider on Thursday. Suryakumar Yadav’s century and Kuldeep Yadav’s birthday bonanza five-wicket haul secured the win, but the match also saw a controversial DRS glitch that nearly stole the spotlight.
Yadav, celebrating his birthday with a career-best performance, ripped through the South African batting lineup, taking 5/17 in just 2.5 overs. His mesmerizing spin bowling skittled out the Proteas for a mere 95, tying the series 1-1.
However, the drama wasn’t just confined to Yadav’s magic. A technical fault in the second innings rendered the Decision Review System (DRS) unavailable, potentially costing India dearly. In the ninth over, Ravindra Jadeja found David Miller’s outside edge, and Jitesh Sharma did the rest with a clean catch. Yet, the on-field umpire’s not-out call stood, as India had no DRS reviews left.
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David Miller, a known match-winner, eventually fell for 35 in the 14th over, but the incident left fans speculating what could have been. Had the DRS been available and confirmed the dismissal, it would have undoubtedly been the turning point of the match.
The replay shows a clear deflection, but DRS isn’t available due to technical glitch. Indians must be gutted with disbelief. #SAvsIND pic.twitter.com/W2Qvgd54H2
— चिरकुट ज़िंदगी (@Chirayu_Jain26) December 14, 2023
But India’s victory was built on more than just a DRS glitch. Suryakumar Yadav, leading from the front, smashed a scintillating century (100 off 56) with seven fours and eight sixes. His fireworks powered India to a formidable 201/7, setting the stage for Yadav’s heroics.
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Kuldeep Yadav’s birthday wish for a win couldn’t have been granted in a more spectacular fashion. His five-wicket haul, the best of his T20I career, not only secured the win but also cemented India’s dominance in T20Is against South Africa, a record that now stretches back to 2015.
While the DRS glitch added a dash of drama, it was Yadav’s birthday blitz and Suryakumar’s fireworks that truly illuminated the night, sending India home with a series win and a reminder of their T20 prowess.
