Dharamsala, Dec 14 (NationPress) In frigid temperatures and conditions favorable for seam bowlers, India achieved a convincing seven-wicket triumph over South Africa in the third T20I held at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on Sunday, thereby securing a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

With a combined effort from the spinners and seamers, South Africa was dismissed for just 117 runs in these seam-friendly conditions. India chased down the target of 118 with a comfortable margin, finishing the game with 25 balls remaining. Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, and Kuldeep Yadav each took two wickets, while Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube contributed with one wicket each, as South Africa struggled after being reduced to 30/4 within the first seven overs.

India's innings was spearheaded by Abhishek Sharma, who scored 35 runs off 18 balls during the powerplay. While Shubman Gill (28) and Tilak Varma (25 not out) found it difficult to settle in, Suryakumar Yadav was dismissed for 12. Abhishek's rapid start ensured that the target was always achievable, with Shivam Dube (10 not out) finishing off the innings with some impressive shots.

The chase began explosively, as Abhishek targeted Lungi Ngidi in the first over, hitting a six and two boundaries. He struck a total of three fours in his innings before being caught by South Africa’s captain Aiden Markram at long-off, although India was already ahead of the required run rate.

Meanwhile, Gill, who narrowly escaped an lbw decision against Marco Jansen, managed to hit some boundaries before falling to Jansen in the 12th over. Suryakumar hit two boundaries off Lungi Ngidi but was dismissed when he attempted a shot over fine leg. Dube then sealed the win for India with a six and a four.

On the other side, Markram fought valiantly to score 61 runs off 46 balls, with little support from his teammates, as only Donovon Ferreira (20) and Anrich Nortje (12) managed to reach double figures. India's bowlers maintained a relentless pressure, taking full advantage of the favorable bowling conditions despite the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel.

After conceding runs in the previous match, Arshdeep struck early, finding movement to dismiss Reeza Hendricks lbw, with DRS confirming the decision. South Africa's troubles escalated when Quinton de Kock was trapped lbw by Rana's delivery.

Pandya marked his entry into the 100-wicket club in T20Is as Tristan Stubbs nicked a delivery to wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma. The Indian seamers continued their dominance, with Dube taking Bosch's wicket, while Markram provided some resistance with elegant strokes.

However, Ferreira's aggressive display was halted by a googly from Chakravarthy, which rattled his stumps. Markram reached his fifty but was dismissed shortly after, caught behind off Arshdeep's bowling. Birthday boy Kuldeep wrapped up the innings by taking two wickets in the final over, leaving South Africa just short of 120 runs.

Brief Scores: South Africa 117 all out (Aiden Markram 61, Donovan Ferreira 20; Varun Chakaravarthy 2-11, Kuldeep Yadav 2-12) lost to India 120/3 in 15.5 overs (Abhishek Sharma 35, Shubman Gill 28; Corbin Bosch 1-18, Lungi Ngidi 1-23) by seven wickets.