South Africa produced a much improved bowling performance as they restricted India to just 172-7 in the third T20I at Newlands.
Having left Dane Paterson out of the team for the day, the Proteas bowled tighter than they did in Johannesburg and Pretoria, and India had to rely on ones and twos to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Junior Dala was once again in the wickets as he picked up Rohit Sharma, Manish Pandey and MS Dhoni. Dala was also responsible for sending Shikhar Dhawan back to the stands with a brilliant run out.
It was a different looking Proteas side right from the start, despite Chris Morris conceding 13 runs off the first over.
Dala, who was also the pick of the South African bowlers in the first two matches, was at it again from the start at Newlands as he had Sharma trapped for lbw in his first over.
South Africa’s good start was halted by Suresh Raina and Dhawan looked to up the run rate, which was under 10 after five overs.
Morris came back in the attack, and would have made a crucial breakthrough, but Dhawan was dropped at third man by Tabraiz Shamsi.
Shamsi, though, joined the attack, and the Indians were only able to pick up three runs from his first over.
It was not long before the second Indian partnership was worth 50, but Raina was soon back in the dugout, caught by Farhaan Behardien at long-on off the bowling of Shamsi for 43.
Duminy brought Dala back into the attack, and the Titans bowler struck on Nelson to remove Pandey for 13.
With the Proteas desperate for a wicket, Dhawan was run out by a direct hit by Dala from deep midwicket, which brought Dhoni to the middle.
Dala was back in the attack, and immediately sent Dhoni back to the stands for just 12 runs as the Proteas looked for a strong finish to the innings.
Hardik Pandya soon followed off the bowling of Morris as South Africa finished the innings strongly. Dinesh Karthik also fell victim to Morris for 13.
In the end, they were able to restrict India to 172-7 in their 20 overs.
India 172-7 (20 overs): Shikhar Dhawan 47, Suresh Raina 43, Junior Dala 3-35, Chris Morris 2-43
Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
