IND vs SA 2025: Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh stifle Proteas batters early, tighten grip in powerplay

India produced an outstanding bowling performance against South Africa in the third T20I at Dharamsala on Sunday, December 14, completely dominating the Proteas and restricting them to 25/3 inside the powerplay. Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh led the charge, leaving the South African batters struggling from the start.

Arshdeep Singh opened the attack and immediately applied pressure. In his fourth delivery, he struck Reeza Hendricks with a well-directed in-dipping ball after bowling two outswingers in his first two deliveries. Hendricks misread the line, and the left-arm pacer claimed the first breakthrough for India, setting the tone for the innings.

In the second over, Harshit Rana struck Quinton de Kock with his second ball, a sharply nipping length delivery from round the wicket that beat the batter’s defense. De Kock, who had scored a brilliant 90 in the second T20I, was unable to replicate that performance this time.

Rana returned for his second over in the innings to dismiss Dewald Brevis, one of South Africa’s most dangerous batters. Brevis attempted a drive off a delivery pitched outside off stump, but the inside edge deflected onto the leg stump. Rana’s celebration reflected India’s dominance as the Men in Blue bowlers completely outperformed the visitors in the early overs, putting India in a commanding position.

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The third T20I between India and South Africa in Dharamsala saw several records broken, alongside some unwanted milestones. Reeza Hendricks registered his seventh duck in T20Is, equalling Andile Phehlukwayo’s record for South Africa. Arshdeep Singh became the highest wicket-taker in T20I powerplays, surpassing Bhuvneshwar Kumar with 48 wickets.

Hardik Pandya achieved his 100th T20I wicket, becoming the first seamer in men’s T20Is to score 1,000+ runs and take 100+ wickets. Meanwhile, Varun Chakravarthy claimed his 50th T20I wicket in just 32 matches, ranking as the fourth-fastest spinner in terms of fewest balls (672) to reach the milestone.

Speaking about the series, the five-match T20I contest is now level at 1-1. India claimed the first T20I thanks to Pandya’s half-century and a collective bowling effort. South Africa bounced back in the second match, with Quinton de Kock smashing a fifty to take his team past 200 runs, and India failed to chase the total.

With the series now tied, India will aim to take the lead in the third T20I, building on their strong bowling performance in the early powerplay and maintaining momentum with the bat.