Who mentioned what – high 5 professional reactions on India’s thumping win in IND vs SA 2025 third T20I ft. R Ashwin

An all-round show with the bat and ball helped India beat South Africa in a one-sided sport within the third T20I in Dharamsala on Sunday, December 14. With the win, the Men in Blue additionally took a 2-1 lead within the five-match sequence.

The bowling unit delivered after skipper Suryakumar Yadav gained the toss and invited the Proteas to bat first. Arshdeep Singh (2/13), Varun Chakaravarthy (2/11), Harshit Rana (2/34), and Kuldeep Yadav (2/12) helped India bundle out the vacationers for 117 in 20 overs. Aiden Markram was the one batter who put up a combating show with the bat, scoring 61 off 46 deliveries, hitting two maximums and 6 fours.

In response, the hosts achieved the goal with 25 balls to spare. Opener Abhishek Sharma gave a flying begin, smashing a quickfire 35 off 18 balls, comprising three maximums and as many fours. Shubman Gill and Tilak Varma additionally chipped in with run-a-ball 28 and 25* (34). Skipper Suryakumar scored 12 (11), whereas Shivam Dube stayed unbeaten on 10 off 4 deliveries. Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman, and Corbin Bosch bagged one wicket apiece for the Proteas.

Following India’s seven-wicket win, former cricketers lauded the staff for bouncing again strongly after shedding the second T20I by 51 runs:

Ravichandran Ashwin

Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin heaped reward on India’s bowling unit after they bundled out South Africa for simply 117 in 20 overs. The 48-year-old additional lauded Harshit Rana for grabbing the chance with each fingers after changing Jasprit Bumrah (unavailable) within the enjoying XI. With Bumrah set to return, the cricketer-turned-commentator believes that the Men in Blue can emulate it within the T20 World Cup. The legendary spinner mentioned on his YouTube channel:

“What happened today, I want to see in the World Cup. If you play this attack with Bumrah, if you play this combination, you will bowl at teams for low scores. There is a high possibility you will choke teams. We will get that choice, and we must take it. The captain and coach should think of going with the best bowling attack. If the batters can take a little more responsibility with Hardik in that squad, I am sure you can play your best bowling attack.”

“I don’t think there are any doubts in the bowling. That department is sealed. Another good message is that Harshit Rana is showing what he is capable of. He is executing what he is good at,” he added.

Mohammad Kaif

Like R Ashwin, former India batter Mohammad Kaif additionally appeared impressed with the Men in Blue’s bowling show within the third T20I towards the Proteas. He had particular reward for Shivam Dube, calling him India’s doable sixth bowling choice forward of the T20 World Cup. The cricketer-turned-commentator mentioned on his YouTube channel:

“The bowling we saw in the third T20I was combination bowling. Although Shivam Dube has not reached Hardik Pandya’s level of bowling, he is getting better. The wicket ball Dube bowled, he bowled by reading the pitch. Dube usually bowls back of length, but the pitch had swing, and he clattered the stumps. He thought not to bowl defensively and bowled fuller to take wickets. His potential is also growing as a bowler, and these are good signs that India’s sixth bowler is also taking wickets. Dube bowled three overs in the game. This bowling combination looks good for the World Cup.”

“We have spoken about line and size a lot. Arshdeep Singh’s power is swing bowling. He bowled so much fuller within the third T20I. Harshit Rana bowled effectively too, and he’s getting higher in white-ball cricket. He additionally bowls at a better tempo. The match was arrange by the bowlers,” he added.

Aakash Chopra

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra sounded impressed by Player of the Match, Arshdeep Singh, for his fightback with the ball within the third T20I towards South Africa. He additionally slammed trolls towards Harshit Rana following his distinctive bowling show. Chopra mentioned on his YouTube channel:

“Arshdeep Singh, even when he bought hit for 50 runs sooner or later and it turned the longest over, however is aware of the best way to bounce again. You do not get 100 wickets similar to that.

“He picked up two wickets and the way he bowled with the new ball, honestly, he is the left-arm Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the way the ball listens to him. The seam remains so upright, and how good his wrist position is, I love him to bits.”

He continued:

“We ought to discuss Harshit Rana and reward him. Keep trolling if you need, however reward the child when he’s doing effectively. He will get restricted alternatives. It’s not like he will get an opportunity to play day-after-day, however he does effectively when he will get a chance.

“He performs well whenever he gets a chance. We don’t know whether he will play or not when (Jasprit) Bumrah comes. He was doing well even when Hardik Pandya was injured. He has always done well whenever he has come in as a replacement.”

Robin Uthappa

Former India batter Robin Uthappa lavished reward on Abhishek Sharma, saying the World No.1-ranked T20I batter reminds him of legendary Sri Lanka batter Sanath Jayasuriya. He identified that the swashbuckling opener intimidates the bowler along with his sheer hitting talents. Uthappa advised JioStar (by way of Indian Express):

“He’s already hit over 300 sixes in T20 cricket, which tells you what a powerful and dynamic batter he is. In fact, he reminds me of Sanath Jayasuriya—sheer dominance as an opening batter. It instils intimidation and fear in bowlers, something you only see when players are in scorching form. Despite being a youngster, he’s had a prolific year. Teams are planning for him, trying to bowl in areas where he doesn’t score, but he seems to have solutions. That proactive thinking is quite amazing.”

“Even before the India-South Africa series, Sharma was playing the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and was just gunning teams down. So you knew he was in good form. It’s about spending some time out there, and I think that first ball from Lungi Ngidi really set things up for him. From there, there was no looking back. He understood that they were trying to stifle him with tight lengths on middle and leg stump, but if they erred even slightly, he was there to punish them,” he added.

Shaun Pollock

Former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock lauded Abhishek Sharma for taking the sport out of the Proteas’s fingers along with his 35 off 18 balls within the powerplay. He advised Cricbuzz:

“When you are chasing a low total, you want someone to go hard. Because if they do and it comes off, the game is broken as it was. After the power play, the game was broken. It was all down to his effort of 36.”

The two groups will subsequent lock horns within the fourth T20I in Lucknow on Wednesday, December 17.