NEW DELHI: After India's fast bowlers set the tone with a stirring display of swing bowling, Abhishek Sharma provided the finishing touches with a brisk cameo to guide the hosts to a comfortable seven-wicket win in the third T20I at Dharamsala on Sunday.

Chasing a modest target of 118 to take a 2–1 lead in the five-match series, India made light work of the task as openers Shubman Gill and Abhishek put on a rapid 60-run stand in just 5.2 overs. Gill played the anchor with a measured 28 off 28 balls, while Abhishek's explosive 35 off 18 deliveries ensured there were no early jitters. India eventually cruised home with more than four overs to spare.

The only intrigue during the chase revolved around whether South Africa's pace attack could replicate the movement India's quicks had extracted earlier. Abhishek swiftly dispelled any such hopes, tearing into Lungi Ngidi for 16 runs in the opening over - a statement of intent underlined by a six off the very first ball of the innings.

Gill soon joined the onslaught, helping himself to another 16-run over as India raced to 32 without loss after two overs. Abhishek, true to his aggressive approach, operated at full throttle throughout his stay before a stunning catch by South Africa skipper Aiden Markram in the deep off Corbin Bosch brought his entertaining knock to an end.

Abhishek Sharma creates history, equals world record in Dharamsala

Once the left-hander was dismissed, India's chase of the remaining 58 runs settled into a much more sedate rhythm as Gill, who was saved by a DRS call early in his innings, and Tilak Varma (26 not out) did not look for any adventure.

Gill's run-a-ball 28 will certainly not rank among his fluent ones, but it might have boosted his confidence after two lukewarm outings in the first two matches of the series. He eventually dragged a Marco Jansen delivery back on to his stumps, and skipper Suryakumar Yadav too failed to remain till the end. But those were the minor aberrations on the night.

Indian pacers run riot

All the credit for this canter should go to India's pacers, who produced a mesmerizing spell of swing bowling to bundle out South Africa for a below-par 117. Leading India's show with early wickets were Arshdeep Singh (2/13), Harshit Rana (2/34) and Hardik Pandya (1/23) after the hosts chose to bowl.

Hardik Pandya rewrites T20I history books with jaw-dropping milestone

Skipper Markram offered a tiny spark for South Africa with a spirited 46-ball 61.

Undoubtedly, the brightest stars under a cool sky were India's quick bowlers, who procured lethal swing and lateral movement with the new ball. It had its effect on the low-key power play effort of South Africa -- 25 for three -- and the phase contained just two fours.

Arshdeep, who had a horror outing at Mullanpur a couple of days back, redeemed himself with a dream first spell (3-0-9-1). He bowled three deliveries which angled away from Reeza Hendricks and then jagged one back to trap the South African opener leg before with the help of DRS.

Rana did precisely the same to Quinton de Kock, a nip-backer, trapping the frozen-legged left-hander inside the crease. Dewald Brevis was slightly unfortunate to get castled while attempting a release shot off a wide delivery from Rana.

South Africa suddenly found themselves at 7 for 3 in 3.1 overs, and it was always going to be an uphill climb for them from there.

Markram crunched a couple of sweet drives in between to keep the board moving but Tristan Stubbs and Bosch departed in quick succession to further derail South African innings.

Stubbs' wicket helped all-rounder Pandya to complete 100 wickets in T20Is, the third Indian bowler to do so after Arshdeep and Jasprit Bumrah, who did not play this match after returning home to attend to a personal situation.

The BCCI said his availability for the remainder of the series will be announced in due course. Kuldeep Yadav too came into the eleven for an unwell Axar Patel.

Spinner Varun Chakravarthy (2/11 in 4 overs) too reached a milestone, capturing his 50th T20I wicket while flattening the stumps of Donovan Ferreira (20, 15 balls).

The big-hitting Ferreria was dropped on 13 by Arshdeep at long-on off Shivam Dube, but that did not hurt India.

Chakravarthy cut open the lower-order with his bottomless bag of tricks as the pitch also continued to offer good pace and carry.

The spinner also added the wicket of Jansen to keep South Africa pinned to the mat.

Markram completed his fifty off 41 balls with a slashed six off Rana, as the 18th over produced 19 runs. But the South African surge came tad too late.

(With PTI Inputs)