In a series-clinching victory filled with strategic brilliance and light-hearted moments, India's third ODI against South Africa in Visakhapatnam witnessed a hilarious subplot involving Rohit Sharma's uncanny DRS instincts. Despite not being the captain on the field, with KL Rahul leading the side, Rohit, alongside Virat Kohli, repeatedly acted as the gatekeeper for Decision Review System calls, much to the amusement of fans and the bewilderment of bowler Kuldeep Yadav.
The On-Field DRS Comedy Unfolds
The drama peaked between the 43rd and 45th overs of South Africa's innings. Leg-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, appealing vigorously for LBW against tailender Lungi Ngidi, was convinced he had his man on three separate occasions. Each time, he turned to stand-in skipper KL Rahul, eager to signal for a review.
In the 43rd over, after an appeal was turned down, Kuldeep looked to Rahul. However, Rohit Sharma, stationed in the slips, immediately waved him off with a witty remark, questioning if just hitting the pad meant the batter was out. Kuldeep's persistent stance was met with firm gestures from Rohit, signaling a clear "no" to the review.
The very next over saw a repeat performance. Another loud appeal from Kuldeep after Ngidi yorked himself led to Rohit and Kohli bursting into laughter. Captain KL Rahul simply walked away to the other end, leaving the bowler momentarily confused. The pattern continued into the following over, with Kuldeep's appeals being denied once more. Replays later confirmed that Rohit's cricket sense was accurate, and the reviews would have been wasted.
Kuldeep's Persistence Finally Rewarded
The spell of denials finally broke on the very next delivery. Kuldeep Yadav's persistence paid off as he successfully reviewed an LBW shout against Lungi Ngidi, getting the decision overturned. This gave him his fourth wicket of the match, finishing with excellent figures of 4 for 41 in his 10 overs.
Reflecting on the funny episode during the mid-innings break, Kuldeep Yadav admitted he often struggles with DRS decisions and relies on the calmer, experienced minds of players like Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul to guide him. This incident perfectly showcased the team's camaraderie and the informal hierarchy of decision-making on the field.
India's Bowling Dominates Despite De Kock Century
On the bowling front, India put up a commanding performance. Alongside Kuldeep's four-wicket haul, pacer Prasidh Krishna claimed 4 for 66. Their efforts bundled out South Africa for 270 runs, a total that India chased down comfortably to win the match and the series.
The Proteas' innings was built around a blistering 106 off just 89 balls from opener Quinton de Kock, and a supporting 48 from captain Temba Bavuma. However, no other batter could offer substantial resistance against a disciplined Indian bowling attack.
The Visakhapatnam encounter not only highlighted Kuldeep Yadav's match-winning flair with the ball but also underscored Rohit Sharma's immense influence on the field. His playful yet decisive interventions blended humor with sharp strategy, adding a unique layer to a high-stakes, series-deciding clash.
