IND vs SA ODI: KL Rahul asks Keshav Maharaj if DJ plays 'Ram Siya Ram' every time he walks in to bat - Watch

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KL Rahul became only the second Indian captain after Virat Kohli to win an ODI series on South African soil after Team India won the third and deciding game at Boland Park, Paarl by 78 runs on Thursday (December 22).

The Men in Blue won the first ODI by 8 wickets and lost the second by a similar margin. But in the deciding third one-dayer, the tourists put up a clinical show to clinch a big win over Aiden Markram-led side to seal the series 2-1.

It was the last ODI match of the year 2023 for both teams. For Team India, 2023 was good except for the heartbreaking defeat in the all-important ODI World Cup final on December 19 in Ahmedabad.

Elevated to the number three batting position, Sanju Samson achieved his inaugural international century, and Arshdeep Singh secured a four-wicket haul, aiding India in dismissing the Proteas for 218 while successfully defending a total of 296.

While Samson and Arshdeep stood out as key performers for the Indian side, stand-in captain KL Rahul stole the spotlight with a memorable moment during the match, a candid chat with South African all-rounder Keshav Maharaj.

The noteworthy incident occurred in the 34th over of South Africa's batting innings. Washington Sundar had just dismissed Wiaan Mulder, and spinner Keshav Maharaj entered the crease.

During Maharaj's preparations at the crease, the popular song 'Ram Siya Ram' from the movie 'Adipurush' began playing at Boland Park. Observing this, Rahul, positioned behind the wickets, couldn't resist commenting, "Keshav bhai, every time you come, they play this song..."

Maharaj confirmed, responding with a "Yeah." Rahul continued by asking if the song also played when Maharaj came to bowl, to which Maharaj's response remained unchanged. The all-rounder is the only Hindu player in the South African national side and he takes pride in calling himself a 'Hanumaan' bhakt.

While the amusing exchange between the two cricketers has gone viral, a video capturing the background music playing when Maharaj came to bowl has also surfaced.

Despite Maharaj's economical bowling spell of 1/37 and a resilient 27-ball innings for 14 runs, his efforts were insufficient. Arshdeep Singh dismantled the Protea tail, securing crucial wickets, including that of Tony de Zorzi, the well-set batsman who scored 81 after his impressive 119 in the second game.

With the limited-overs series concluded, both India and South Africa will now turn their attention to the upcoming Test series, as the visitors aim to assert their dominance in red-ball cricket in the rainbow nation.