INDIA came up with a clinical show in the fourth and final T20 International (T20) against South Africa at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Friday, November 15, hammering the hosts by 135 runs to clinch the series 3-1.
The visitors came out with all guns blazing after captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and elected to bat. The opening partnership between Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma produced 73 runs in 5.5 overs. After the latter got out for 36 runs in 18 balls off the bowling of Lutho Sipamla, the Indian batting exploded. Samson slammed an unbeaten 109 off 56 balls and Tilak Varma, who scored an unbeaten century in the previous match n Centurion, remained not out on 120 off just 47 deliveries.
Samson, Varma add record 210 runs for second wicket
The duo added 210 runs for the second wicket to help India post a massive 283 for 1 in 20 overs, the fifth highest total in T20Is and the highest in the venue. It was the highest partnership for any wicket for India and against South Africa in the format. It was India’s second-highest total in the shortest format following their 297 for 6 scored against Bangladesh in Hyderabad last month.
Centuries from Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma guide India towards a mammoth total #SAvIND : https://t.co/nCcnyy7c2U pic.twitter.com/BLjrRC9L6n
— ICC (@ICC) November 15, 2024
South Africa captain Aiden Markram used seven bowlers, including him. Still, all went for runs with opening pacer Marco Jansen proving to be the most economical at the rate of 10.50.
South Africa’s batting woes persist
The Proteas, who have faced problems in their batting throughout the series, were reduced to 10 for 4 while chasing the mammoth target with Arshdeep Singh producing some gem of deliveries. He got rid of opener Reeza Hendricks (0), Markram (8) and the dangerous Heinrich Klaasen (0) while Hardik Pandya picked the other opener, Ryan Rickelton for 1.
It was then when Tristan Stubbs (43 off 29) and David Miller (36 off 27) came together to add 86 runs for the fourth wicket but after spinners Ravi Bishnoi and Varun Chakravarthy picked them up in a span of three balls, it was all over for South Africa. Jansen played a brisk knock of 29 not out in 12 balls but found no reliable partners at the other end and South Africa were all out for 148 in the penultimate over.
Singh was the most successful bowler for India with three scalps for 20 runs while Chakravarthy and Axar Patel took two each. Pandya, Bishnoi and Ramandeep Singh were rewarded with a wicket each.
It was India’s third heaviest victory in terms of runs in T20Is after the 168-run win over New Zealand in 2023 and the 143-run win against Ireland in 2018.
Varma, who also took two wickets in the match, was adjudged both the player of the match and series.
It was India’s second T20I series victory on South African soil after 2022-23.
South Asians Globally
