India’s dominant nine-wicket win in the final ODI was built on a ruthless bowling display — and at the heart of that effort were Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav. Both finished with four wickets apiece, dismantling South Africa’s batting lineup and limiting them to 270, a total that proved far below par once India’s batters got to work.
Prasidh Krishna set the tone early. Using his height, bounce, and ability to hit awkward lengths, he troubled South Africa’s top order right away. His first spell contained pace, bounce, and just enough deviation to force batters into indecision. Whenever South Africa tried to break free, Prasidh pulled them back with discipline and aggression. He struck even harder in his later overs, using cross-seam deliveries and fuller lengths to target the stumps. His four wickets weren’t just numbers — they came at crucial moments, cutting short partnerships and repeatedly halting South Africa’s attempts to build momentum.
Kuldeep Yadav took over the dismantling in the middle overs. The left-arm wrist-spinner has built his reputation on deception — wrong’uns, drift, dip, and changes of pace — and he delivered all of it in one spell. South Africa’s middle order, initially looking to consolidate, found themselves trapped by Kuldeep’s variations. He induced false shots, forced hesitations, and created uncertainty with every over. The wickets came through a mix of sharp turn, subtle drift, and clever traps that left the batters second-guessing their footwork and decision-making. His four-wicket haul broke the backbone of South Africa’s innings, ensuring they couldn’t stretch their total beyond competitive range.
The duo complemented each other perfectly. Prasidh’s pace and bounce softened up batters early, pushing them onto the back foot, while Kuldeep’s spin throttled their scoring and took advantage of the pressure created. By the time South Africa approached the death overs, they were rebuilding instead of attacking — something that drastically reduced the total they could aim for. Instead of reaching 300 or more, they were forced to scrap their way to 270, a score that always looked light on a batting-friendly surface under lights.
Other Indian bowlers supported the effort well, maintaining tight lines that prevented easy boundary options. Fielding intensity was sharp, cutting off singles and backing the bowlers with clean catching and alert ground fielding. But the day belonged to Prasidh and Kuldeep — eight wickets between them, strangling the opposition from both ends, and ensuring the batting lineup never settled.
When India began their chase, the significance of that disciplined bowling effort became even clearer. With dew settling in and the pitch flattening, 270 quickly felt inadequate against India’s confident, in-form top order. The batters did the finishing, but it was the bowlers who set up the victory long before the chase began.
India’s bowling blueprint in this match — seam up front, spin squeeze in the middle — worked perfectly. And with Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav both delivering standout performances, the win became inevitable.
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