And it was Shreyas Iyer, who got the Player of the Match. 

When India needed 279, it really looked like a tricky run-chase. But from the word-go, India have been on the attack, they have really not stepped down from the gas. After the openers - Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill - got out, the onus was on the middle-order to step up. Boy-oh-boy, didn't they? 

The 161-run-partnership between Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan just sealed the game for India. Never during that partnership were India in any trouble. If Kishan wasn't finding the gaps, it was Iyer who was doing that and vice-versa. Both of them were in some touch. While Kishan missed out on a maiden ODI century, Iyer did not leave his opportunity, converting his fifty into his second ODI century.

With that, it is a wrap from us! Good night and see you all yet again in a couple of days for the final fixture in Delhi.

Maharaj: We didn't expect dew to be such a factor here, that's why we opted to bat. We tried what we could, Shreyas and Kishan played very well. We thought the track will get slower and lower as the game progressed. But it got easier to bat after the 30th over due to the soft ball and dew that came on.

Dhawan: Worked perfectly well for us, thanks to Keshav that he chose to bat (smiles). Glad that dew came in at the right time. Ishan and Shreyas batted so well, that partnership was so nice to watch. It was coming on nicely, but it stayed low. Plan was to take on the bowlers in the first 10 overs as we knew it could get difficult in the middle overs. When the dew came, you could see that it got easier. Very satisfied with the bowling unit, they are all young and these are good learnings for them. Especially Shahbaz. All the young boys, I'm so proud that they showed so much maturity.

Kishan: Feeling good, it's 1-1, so very excited to play the decider at Delhi. Really happy about with the way we contributed to the team. It is my home ground, there were too many people watching. When I was fielding they were asking me to get a hundred today, unfortunately I missed it. No worries, I'm just happy that my team won the game today and maybe in the next game I will give my best and make my team win again. 

It's difficult here sometimes, because I played so many matches in Ranchi, it is not easy for the new batters to score runs, so we were looking to play according to the merit of the ball and not to play any harsh shots, and it's a matter of putting the pressure on the other team as well and the positive mindset helped a lot. Nortje, Rabada are too quick and sometimes the ball isn't coming on properly and stopping a touch and the next ball it was coming really quick. So, I was planning to go for it if it was near my chest and not to play a pre-determined shot if the ball is not there. So I was just trying to put the ball in the gap and it went my way.

When India needed 279, it really looked like a tricky run-chase. But from the word-go, India have been on the attack, they have really not stepped down from the gas. After the openers - Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill - got out, the onus was on the middle-order to step up. Boy-oh-boy, didn't they? 

The 161-run-partnership between Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan just sealed the game for India. Never during that partnership were India in any trouble. If Kishan wasn't finding the gaps, it was Iyer who was doing that and vice-versa. Both of them were in some touch. While Kishan missed out on a maiden ODI century, Iyer did not leave his opportunity, converting his fifty into his second ODI century.

For South Africa, Delhi is where they will have to start all over again. In order for direct qualification, they have to keep winning all the games. And if they don't, they are in whole lot of trouble. You don't need me to say that, do you?

Shreyas Iyer, take A BIG BOW! He has been fluent in this run-chase. Spinners, pacers, it really doesn't matter, he has just taken the attack to them. Never in this run-chase has the right-hander stepped down the peddle. 

On top of that, Kagiso Rabada has overstepped. Oh god, a free-hit, a freebie for Iyer and he smokes that for a boundary. A FINE HUNDRED! In this year, Iyer has scored his runs, at an average of 56.12 and strikes at 93.54. He is just class!

Shreyas Iyer has looked dead and out physically in the past few overs. Twice he has gone down and the physio has walked out to tend him. Immediately after that, the right-hander has stepped down the track, in an attempt to take on Bjorn Fortuin over the mid-wicket boundary. If the ball is indeed spinning, he might be done and dusted. It does look very close. 

Two reds but not there, so it is missing from the wickets perspective. Iyer survives and rightfully. It is missing!

Oh god, Ishan Kishan is on the ground. He has timed that ball to perfection but that perfection has found the fielder in the deep. He can't quite believe it, he is down on the ground and perhaps questioning his choice. It was his delivery to clear but alas, he could only find Reeza Hendricks in the deep. End of an outstanding knock for India, possibly a match-winning one. 

India were in some trouble during the early part of the innings but the partnership between Kishan and Shreyas Iyer has really worked like a charm. 42% of his shots have been in the mid-wicket region but all of them are runs, so what's the matter anyway? Could have been his first hundred but.....

Ishan Kishan c R Hendricks b Fortuin 93(84)

Not sure what Ishan Kishan had for breakfast but we are sure what he is having for dinner, boundaries. He is just in a crunch mood in front of his home fans. Outrageous shots against the high pace of Anrich Nortje. First he bends his back for a boundary before getting a clean connection on a delivery for a massive six. Nortje over-corrects himself, bowling a fuller delivery and that too has been dispatched. 

You know, Kishan is in that kind of form. At this point, the spectators have a better chance of catching the ball than the fielder inside the boundary. Wow. 16 runs off Nortje's over. It is Kishan's highest score in ODIs, his previous was 59. Now he is on 86 off 78 deliveries!!!!

B. O. O. M! ⚡️ ⚡️@ishankishan51 went aerial & did that with some might! 💪 💪 #TeamIndia

Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/6pFItKAJW7

Don’t miss the LIVE coverage of the #INDvSA match on @StarSportsIndia. pic.twitter.com/vsne3WHFQq

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 9, 2022

Carnage? Check! Calculative? Check! Great hitting? Check! This pair really have been in some form here in Ranchi. Earlier, it was Ishan Kishan, who was smacking the bowlers. And ever since that period, Shreyas Iyer has said, it is mine and he has picked runs with ease. In the last five overs, India have scored 38 runs. Iyer is finding boundaries with just ease. 

And, Kishan is even clearing them. Rabada needs to be back for South Africa. Will that make a difference? 

Watching Ishan Kishan from the other end, Shreyas Iyer has taken interest in upping the scoring rate. Against both the bowlers - Bjorn Fortuin and Aiden Markram - the right-hander has stepped up and left an indelible mark. It is incredible how Iyer transforms himself into a world-class star when there is spin from the bowling end. 

South Africa are almost losing the plot here. They are trying everything possible. 

Knowing that there are two left-arm spinners, Ishan Kishan has started flexing his muscles. And after the previous over, the left-hander has really taken the attack to Maharaj. Twice in the same over, the southpaw has stormed down the wicket and smacked the ball over the infield for a six. Two sixes in the over, 15 runs and India are right now taking control of the proceedings here in Ranchi. 

On the other hand, South Africa are struggling. Struggling in the sense, they need to pick wickets. Now more than ever. Interestingly, his strike-rate this game against spin is 192 and in the previous game, it was 29.4. So, chalk and cheese!

13 runs in the last five overs, South Africa have done a pretty good job with the ball. In fact, they have restricted the run-scoring opportunities for the two Indian batters. While the singles and doubles are there, the boundaries have dried up. The last boundaries was in the 13th over, rather the first delivery of the 13th over. Since then, it has been just ones and twos. 

Shreyas Iyer is in some form here. Against Anrich Nortje, the man who has the pace to trouble him, he has just smashed the leather of that ball. Two glorious shots and Iyer has really taken the attack to the South African bowlers. India are pacing well here, Ishan Kishan and Iyer are doing their bit to take India home. 

Shubman Gill was looking in sublime touch. I mean, this sort of touch where he will even score a 100 being flawless. But as we type that, Kagiso Rabada stuns the Indian fans. Rabada, in his follow through bends and takes a sharp catch to send Gill back. Gill looks stunned and that was indeed a stunning catch. 

Shubman Gill c and b Rabada 28(26)

Wayne Parnell castles Shikhar Dhawan. Dhawan was looking to hit the left-arm seamer but all he manages is to punch the air and by that, there was a huge gap between the bat and the ball. It goes through the gap and the stumps go for a walk. Parnell punches the air. 

Dhawan b Parnell 13(20)

Shubman Gill is in some mood to cook a storm here. He has been in sublime form in the 50-over format prior to the start of this series. While he got undone early on in the first ODI, he has come out with some intent here with some smacking. Two boundaries and the second of the two - Gill - has driven it gorgeously through the cover region. 

Bjorn Fortuin on his ODI debut has started on the best possible manner, bowling a maiden. That too against the left-handed Shikhar Dhawan, for whom there was a favourable match-up. But his line and control over his length has been immaculate. 

Last five overs, South Africa have scored just the 26 runs, losing two wickets. For most part leading into the death overs, they were struggling to find the boundaries. But in the 49th over, David Miller smacks the leather out of Shardul Thakur's bowling to find two boundaries. South Africa have struggled apart from that. 

Mohammed Siraj's last four overs here has been exceptional. Remember all the talks of him going to Australia for the T20 World Cup? If he is bowling like this, there are more than enough chances that he will travel Down Under. 18 runs in the last four overs, and a wicket. Siraj has hit the slot so well. Sublime!!

Miller remains unbeaten on 35 off 34 deliveries. Four boundaries in his innings, and a strike-rate of 102.94. It was a tough tough stay here in the middle. South Africa reach to 278/7 at the end of 50 overs. Join us for the run-chase in a while. India need to chase 279. 

Wayne Parnell hasn't found his timing, not one bit. He has struggled against spin, against pace and now Shardul Thakur has taken full advantage of it. Shreyas Iyer with the easiest of catches. It was a slower delivery from Thakur and it has worked like a charm. 

Parnell c Shreyas Iyer b Thakur 16

22 runs off the last four overs. Dot-balls - one after one. South Africa are struggling to find any sort of feet during the end overs here. They will need more than a punch now to take them to 300, a score that could be so much on this wicket. 

Even though South Africa have lost wickets in a heap - twin wickets, they have managed to get going, taking some risks. David Miller with some innovation against the off-spinner, Washington Sundar, with a lap for a boundary. The partnership is stretched to 15 off 16 balls, going good at the moment. South Africa would need more of boundaries in the final few overs. 

Oh god, this is like a bus in London, one follows the other after a long wait. Aiden Markram was looking a million dollars but against a favourable match-up, in the form of off-spinner, Washington Sundar. But Markram finds the fielder, Shikhar Dhawan with ease. End of an innings and half from Markram but it is India, who are making a steady comeback. 

Markram c Dhawan b Washington Sundar 79(89)

After some stunning hits from Heinrich Klaasen, his fun here in Ranchi is done. He was expecting the ball to turn more but it stopped and didn't turn. Klaasen gets a half-timed shot, straight into the hands of Mohammed Siraj, who pulls off a great catch. India finally are pulling things back, after giving it away in the middle-overs. Kuldeep strikes, his first wicket of the evening. 

Klaasen c Siraj b Kuldeep Yadav 30(26)

Heinrich Klaasen walks out to bat and he is as fearless against India's bowling as he has always been. First a four off Washington Sundar's bowling and then now, a smack against the debutant, Shahbaz Ahmed for a massive six. South Africa are motoring well. Motoring too well at the moment, for India's liking. 

End of his first bowling outing here in Ranchi. 54 runs off 10 overs, and a wicket. Some outing for the left-arm spinner. A mixed bag sort of return, considering how he started. 

Mohammed Siraj has done it. HE HAS PICKED UP THE BIG FISH, REEZA HENDRICKS IS A GONER! After a 76-ball 74, the right-hander has smashed the ball straight into the hands of Shahbaz Ahmed, who on his debut, makes no mistake. Straight into his hands and that's gone. Hendricks is shocked. He was looking to clear the boundary but only manages to find the fielder in the deep. 

R Hendricks c Shahbaz Ahmed b Siraj 74(76)

In ODIs, Reeza Hendricks has an average of 41.2 in six innings in Asia. He has two half-centuries and one century. In no other continent, he averages more than 25. And here too, he has played a scintillating hand for the Proteas, with a half-century, one filled with some attacking intent and positive approach. 

At the other end, Aiden Markram is nearing a half-century. And he gets to his half-century. Fifth ODI 50 for Markram. Can he convert this into a big score? South Africa really need that from their star batters. The partnership too stretches past the 100-run mark. Absolutely smoked. 

In the first 20 balls of this innings, Reeza Hendricks had scored at a strike rate of 40 (8 of 20). However, in his last 28 balls, he has scored at 114.3 (32 of 28). He's stepping on the accelerator and rightly so. It has been some innings from the right-hander. 

And his shot, inside out against Kuldeep Yadav has just made things more aesthetically pleasing. Just sublime. South Africa are really stepping up here. 

Washington Sundar, who has been brought back into the attack, doesn't really help Shikhar Dhawan here. Or rather, Aiden Markram has helped himself so nicely against the off-spinner. First, a boundary down the ground before a smack for another four. Nine runs off the over, a costly over for India. And with that over, South Africa bring up their 100. 

Hendricks-Markram bring up their 50-run partnership in just 60 deliveries. They had some tough overs to tackle but in between all of that, they have found boundaries with ease. Markram after struggling massively against Kuldeep Yadav has now picked up his confidence against the pacers, with a neat drive against Shardul Thakur for a boundary. They are on a roll, I mean not at that pace but still. 

Kuldeep Yadav has bowled one right on length, beating Aiden Markram. No bat, oooh. It is definitely going to be interesting. Two reds and then the umpire's call. Oh god, Markram survives. Dhawan grunts and so do the Indian fielders. So close. 50-50 almost. 

Hendricks is on the move, thanks to some terrible bowling from the Indian bowlers, especially Mohammed Siraj. Siraj has sprayed all over the pitch here and in turn, has gifted two boundaries to Reeza Hendricks. He's moved on to 25 off just 37 balls. Some momentum now after what was a very slow start. 

Just when South Africa were rebuilding, they lost their main man, Janneman Malan. But ever since that, both Aiden Markram and Reeza Hendricks have managed things well, scoring a boundary here and there to keep the scoreboard ticking. The partnership is building. India will look at Kuldeep Yadav for a breakthrough. 

A moment to cherish for Shahbaz Ahmed as he has trapped Janneman Malan for 25 runs. A touch slower from the left-arm spinner, and the right-handed batter has been struck on the pad. While the on-field umpire adjudged it not out, Shikhar Dhawan reviewed the decision. And guess what, the ball tracking suggests three reds! The debutant is absolutely elated with this one, and why not! 

After a tough start, South African batters have absolutely taken a liking to the Indian bowling unit. 23 runs off the last three overs. Both Avesh Khan and Mohammed Siraj have been taken apart in the last three overs, with two boundaries each in their over. But Shahbaz has kept a tight line, making it tough for the Proteas batters. 

Oh well, India are taking match-ups very seriously. With two right-handers at the crease, Shikhar Dhawan tosses the ball to the left-arm spinner, Shahbaz Ahmed. Ahmed with a pretty tight start. Three runs off the over. Pretty stuff early on. 

Mohammed Siraj has bowled it wide and expects Quinton de Kock to push it away from his body. And he is nowhere close to the ball and a thick inside edge smashes the ball back onto the stumps. South Africa lose their first and it is the dangerman de Kock who is gone. Not the best bowling but Siraj gets a wicket against his name, doesn't matter, does it? 

In ODIs, this is the first single-digit score for Quinton de Kock against India after 13 innings. His only other single-digit score (7 of 15) against India came in 2015 in Melbourne.

de Kock b Siraj 5(8)

And, here it is, the match-up, Washington Sundar has been handed the new-ball alongside Siraj. The off-spinner gets some bounce off this surface and that is a quiet over from the all-rounder on his return. 

Mohammed Siraj is steaming with the ball but Quinton de Kock smashes it straight down the ground for a four. Easy pickings, neat shot and what a start for South Africa. Batting paradise, says Sunil Gavaskar on air and maybe it could possibly be a 350-kind of affair. 

Bounce might be on the lower side but solid start for the Proteas. Five runs off the first over. 

Deep Dasgupta and Ajit Agarkar: It isn't the biggest ground here, 60 meter boundaries and even the straight boundary isn't all that big. Not a blade of grass on this surface, looks firm and seems a typical surface. Square is very dry and there could be some reverse swing as the game progresses. A few cracks but there won't be a lot of grip, instead could be a lot more skid. Winning the toss, it will be tempting to bat first as the track can slow down later.

Even though he lost the toss, Shikhar Dhawan is happy with what Keshav Maharaj has called. Dhawan would have loved to bat second, which they are doing right now. India makes two changes as well, Shahbaz Ahmed and Washington Sundar are roped into the playing XI while Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ravi Bishnoi misses out. 

India have strengthened both their batting and bowling, with the inclusion of two all-rounders. Washington Sundar, in case you missed it, has been roped in as a replacement for Deepak Chahar, who was ruled out of the series earlier yesterday. So, two all-rounders walk in and that strengthened their batting depth after the loss. 

South Africa (Playing XI): Janneman Malan, Quinton de Kock(w), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Keshav Maharaj(c), Bjorn Fortuin, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje

Guess what? Keshav Maharaj is the one who is walking out for the toss. That essentially rules Temba Bavuma out of the match. Why? We will have to wait and see. Oh well, Javagal Srinath has the toss in his pocket and everyone are puzzled by that. Ooh. 

South Africa have won the toss and they are going to bat first. Maharaj says that it looks like a good wicket to bat on. Three changes, Shamsi and Bavuma are out. Reeza Henricks and Bjorn Fortuin walk into the playing XI. Lungi Ngidi, who was impressive in the previous fixture misses out for the returning Anrich Nortje.

South Africa (Playing XI): Janneman Malan, Quinton de Kock(w), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Keshav Maharaj(c), Bjorn Fortuin, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje

And, India have handed an ODI debut to youngster, Shahbaz Ahmed, who had a stellar IPL season with the Royal Challengers Bangalore, where he had impact both with the bat and the ball. Who he replaces is a question but we feel that Ishan Kishan might be left out. Or could it be Ravi Bishnoi, who had a terrible ODI debut the other night in Lucknow?

🎥 A moment to cherish for Shahbaz Ahmed as he makes his debut in international cricket. 👏 👏

Go well! 👍 👍

Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/6pFItKAJW7 #TeamIndia | #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/Jn9uU5fYXc

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 9, 2022

On an average, the first innings score at the venue has been 262, but for a winning score, the teams batting first need to target 290. Top-order batters usually enjoy the venue, with an average of 37.8, with a strike-rate of 86.3. 

Unlike other venues in the country, the JSCA stadium is one which has assistance for both – pacers and spinners. At the venue, pacers have picked up 33 wickets @33.7 in comparison to 31 wickets @36.8 from the spinners. 

For small leagues: David Miller (c), Shreyas Iyer (vc) ; For grand leagues: Sanju Samson (c), Kagiso Rabada (vc)

Here we go, India have yet again started a series with a loss. South Africa, in Lucknow have started the series in the best possible way, with a thumping win, even though the scorecard won't be suggestive of that. They thoroughly outplayed India and by the time, the Men in Blue started staging a comeback, thanks to Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson, it was too little too late. 

However, a new city - Ranchi - now provides India with a prime opportunity to level the series. In the preview, Anirudh Kasargod is screaming for the management to make a few changes. Basically, to replace Ishan Kishan with either Rajat Patidar or Shahbaz Ahmed, who can play spin better. 

For South Africa, it was a near perfect game. Near perfect for the reason, their lead spinner, Tabraiz Shamsi had an off day. In fact, his form in the recent past has been scratchy. In just eight overs, he conceded 89 runs, picking up the wicket of Ruturaj Gaikwad. How can he fare today?