NEW DELHI: Sanju Samson on Thursday notched up his maiden one-day international century as India secured a 78-run victory over South Africa in the third ODI. With this win, they won the three-match series 2-1. Samson scored 108 (114 balls) and Tilak Varma made a patient 52 (77 balls) to guide India to a competitive 296 for eight. In reply, South Africa were eventually bowled out for 218 in 45.5 overs.
India will now take on the Proteas in the two-match Test series, starting December 26.
However, amidst the thrilling cricket action at Paarl's Boland Park, a fascinating incident unfolded. The stump mic caught a viral exchange between KL Rahul and Keshav Maharaj.
1/10:Sanju Samson's maiden ODI ton takes India to series win in South Africa
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2/10:India win ODI series
<p>Sanju Samson hit a maiden international century and set up a series-deciding win for India against South Africa in the third ODI in Paarl on Thursday.</p>Getty Images
3/10:India 296/8
<p>Samson made 108 in an Indian total of 296/8 on a slow pitch on a hot afternoon at Boland Park. </p>Getty Images
4/10:Patient batting
<p>Samson summed up the conditions well, batting patiently as stroke-making became challenging when the two white balls lost their hardness.</p>Getty Images
5/10:Match-winning stand
<p>Samson and Tilak Varma (52) took 88 balls to post a fifty partnership for the fourth wicket but they picked up the pace and eventually added 116 off 136 balls. </p>Getty Images
6/10:Sanju Samson
<p>Samson made his runs off 114 balls with six fours and three sixes. </p>Getty Images
7/10:Axar Patel
<p>India's lower order batsmen scored rapidly towards the end of the innings, with 51 runs scored off the last five overs. </p>Getty Images
8/10:The toss
<p>South African captain Aiden Markram's decision to send India in to bat backfired as the hosts were bowled out for 218.</p>Getty Images
9/10:South Africa
<p>South Africa were well-placed when Tony de Zorzi (87) and Markram (36) put on 65 for the third wicket to take the total to 141 in the 26th over.</p>Getty Images
10/10:Washington Sundar
<p>Then Markram gloved an attempted reverse sweep off Washington Sundar to wicketkeeper KL Rahul and De Zorzi was leg before wicket to Arshdeep 20 runs later.</p>Getty ImagesDuring the 33rd over, as Maharaj entered the field, the stadium DJ coincidentally began playing the song 'Ram Siya Ram' in the background.
With a smile on his face, wicketkeeper KL Rahul playfully pointed out to Maharaj the recurrent occurrence of this song each time he stepped into bat.
Maharaj responded with an acknowledging 'yes'.
WATCH:
Rahul, after India won the series, added the focus of the team will now shift to the two-Test series beginning in Centurion on December 26. Regular skipper Rohit Sharma and Kohli will be back in the side and Rahul will be the first-choice keeper.
"Will celebrate with the boys and then switch back to focusing on the Test series in a day or two. Love being around the boys, that's how it's been since I came over to South Africa after some time away following a disappointing World Cup final," Rahul said.
