‘Birthday boy cleaned them up’ – Fans celebrate India’s 106 run win over South Africa in final T20I

Kuldeep Yadav celebrated his 29^th birthday in fine style as he picked 5/17 with the ball. The left-arm wrist spinner grabbed his 2^nd fifer in T20I cricket for the national side. Team India won the game by 106 runs to go level with South Africa and take the share of the spoils.

Earlier in the day Suryakumar Yadav scored his 4^th century in T20I cricket to help India score 201 runs. The Indian skipper had scored a terrific 56 in the 2^nd game on Tuesday in Gqeberha which India lost by 5 wickets.

The focus now shifts to the three-match-ODI series which begins on Sunday. KL Rahul will be leading the Indian side as the first game will be played in Johannesburg. The game on Sunday is special as it will mark the annual pink day for cricket.

Kuldeep Yadav bamboozles South Africa to help India win

South Africa were beaten soundly thanks to birthday boy Kuldeep Yadav. Reeza Hendricks and Matthew Breetzke came out to bat in pursuit of the 202-run score set by India. The very first over of the chase set the tone for the evening as Mohammed Siraj bowled a maiden over. Mukesh Kumar then struck when he had Breetzke bowled out for 4 runs.

The day wasn’t over for Siraj as he swooped down on the ball to run out Hendricks for just 8. Aiden Markram and Klaasen tried to fight back but the Indian bowlers did not let the pair settle down. Klaasen was out-caught by Rinku Singh off Arshdeep while Jadeja got Markram out-caught by Yashasvi Jaiswal.

From here it was the Kuldeep Yadav show as Donovan Ferreira was bowled for 12. Keshav Maharaj also saw his stumps get disturbed when he was bowled by Kuldeep for 1. Andile Phelukwayo was out caught and bowled by Jadeja for just a single as the home team was in deep trouble.

Soon it was all over as Kuldeep Yadav ran through the bottom half of the South African team to claim a fifer. Suryakumar Yadav was given the Man of the Match and Man of the Series awards for his excellent with the bat.

Here’s how the fans reacted:

India defeated South Africa by 106 runs in the 3rd T20I.

– Stars are Surya & Kuldeep Yadav. pic.twitter.com/92I9T94Ryu

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 14, 2023

Bday boy
Cleaned them out https://t.co/aP9WKu9VFk

— Secular Chad (@SachabhartiyaRW) December 14, 2023

Fifer for birthday boy #KuldeepYadav

— Kgf star Yash (@SSz14313028) December 14, 2023

Kuldeep 🚫 Cool Deep ✅ absolute brilliant performance against South Africa! 17-5 just awesome!!✨❤️ #INDvsSA #KuldeepYadav @imkuldeep18 🙏🏻

— Roddur Chattopadhyay (@iam_roddur) December 14, 2023

यादव जी के सामने कोई खेल सकता है क्या …. 🥳🥳🥳🎂#HappyBirthdayKuldeepYadav #KuldeepYadav pic.twitter.com/kFKolvyp2D

— JethaLal Yadav (@JethalalY) December 14, 2023

Rohit Sharma has supported him during his difficult time and encouraged him to return to international cricket….
Kuldeep said Rohit Bhai has been saying for years, you have to do what I have told you!
#INDvsSA #KuldeepYadav pic.twitter.com/hhjJLQBfv7

— Aakrosh Dwivedi (@KAakrosh) December 14, 2023

FIVE WICKET HAUL BY KULDEEP YADAV ON BIRTHDAY….!!!!#KuldeepYadav #INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/qWeuItcmAs

— Sparsh Mittal (@SparshM00273039) December 14, 2023