Watch: Kuldeep Yadav put on a stellar display in the third ODI against South Africa, with the highlight his googly which bowled Anrich Nortje for a golden duck.
The left-arm wrist-spinner went on to take 4-18, the first time he had taken four wickets in an innings for India since early 2019.
With the series in the balance, each of India and South Africa having won a game apiece going into the decider, the hosts got off to an excellent start, reducing the Proteas to 66-5 early on.
It was then that Kuldeep entered to extinguish any hopes of a fightback from the tourists’ dangerous lower order, claiming four of the last five wickets.
First to go was Andile Phehlukwayo, playing on attempting to cut a googly. Then Bjorn Fortuin was pinned lbw. But the standout dismissal was that of Nortje.
Facing his first ball, the No.10 was clueless as a cleverly disguised googly spun past the outside edge, hitting the top of off stump and setting up a hat-trick chance.
Kuldeep has already claimed two international hat-tricks – only Wasim Akram and Lasith Malinga have taken more – but was unable to join an exclusive club, with Lungi Ngidi managing to inside-edge to safety.
But two balls later he had wrapped up the innings, with Marco Jansen holing out.
South Africa were bowled out for 99, their second-lowest first-innings men’s ODI total.
