Delhi: The men’s cricket teams of India and South Africa reached Bhubaneswar on Sunday, where they will face each other in the five-match T20 International series. The first T20 match will be played on 9 December at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack. Team India is entering this T20 series after achieving a spectacular 2-1 victory in the ODI series.

Odisha Cricket Association made concrete arrangements

Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) President Pankaj Lochan Mohanty informed about extensive preparations for the welcome and security of both the teams. He told that the players have been warmly welcomed at Hotel Mayfair in Bhubaneswar and on Monday both the teams will practice at Barabati Stadium. Mohanty also expressed confidence in the preparations of the stadium and said that all the arrangements have been completed and the spectators will enjoy a great match.

South Africa’s innings in the third ODI

In the third ODI, South Africa had lost the wicket of Ryan Rickelton at zero in the beginning. After this, Quinton de Kock (106 runs, 89 balls, 8 fours, 6 sixes) and captain Temba Bavuma (48 runs, 67 balls, 5 fours) made an important partnership of 113 runs. De Kock also made a 54-run partnership with Matthew Bretzke (24 runs, 23 balls, 2 sixes), but his innings faltered after the fall of five wickets at the score of 199. Prasidh Krishna kept the South African batsmen under constant pressure with his brilliant spell of 4/66. In the end, Dewald Brevis (29 runs) and Marco Jansson (17 runs) showed some competition, but due to the excellent bowling of Kuldeep Yadav (4/41), the entire team was bundled out for 270 runs in 47.5 overs.

India’s strong batting, achieved the target easily

Chasing the target, India won in 39.5 overs. Rohit Sharma (75 runs, 73 balls, 7 fours, 3 sixes) and Yashasvi Jaiswal gave a strong start to India by making a partnership of 155 runs. Jaiswal scored the first century of his ODI career and scored 116* runs (121 balls, 12 fours, 3 sixes). He also made a century partnership with Virat Kohli (65* runs, 45 balls, 6 fours, 3 sixes) and India won the series in style.