Centurion: In a thrilling encounter, India emerged victorious against South Africa in the third T20 of a four-match series, winning by 11 runs. India, batting first, posted a formidable total of 219/6 in 20 overs. Tilak Verma (107 off 56 balls, 8 fours, 7 sixes) and Abhishek Sharma (50 off 25 balls, 5 sixes, 3 fours) played explosive knocks.
In reply, South Africa fought valiantly but ended up with 208/7 in 20 overs. Marco Jansen (54 off 16 balls, 5 sixes, 4 fours) and Heinrich Klaasen (41 off 22 balls, 4 sixes, 1 four) led the charge, but their efforts fell short. In the last over, South Africa needed 25 runs but only managed 13. India’s bowlers excelled, with Arshdeep Singh taking 3 wickets, Varun Chakravarthy claiming 2, and Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel picking up 1 wicket each. With this win, India leads the series 2-1, with the fourth and final T20 scheduled for Friday in Johannesburg.
Jansen’s Furious Innings at the End
In pursuit of the target, South Africa lost wickets regularly but continued to play aggressively. After reaching 84/4 in 10 overs, Klaasen and David Miller (18) kept the hopes alive. Klaasen hit three consecutive sixes off Varun Chakravarthy in the 14th over, and soon after, Hardik Pandya’s delivery saw Miller caught by Axar Patel at the boundary. Jansen then unleashed a barrage of fours and sixes, including two consecutive sixes off Ravi Bishnoi in the 17th over. In the 19th over, Jansen hit 26 runs off Hardik Pandya’s bowling, scoring 4, 6, 4, 2, 6, 4. Jansen completed his half-century with a six in the final over off Arshdeep but was dismissed shortly after, ending South Africa’s chase.
Abhishek’s Powerplay and Tilak’s Sensational Innings
India faced an early setback with Sanju Samson being bowled out for a duck. However, Tilak Verma and Abhishek Sharma led a dominant recovery, smashing boundaries and racing to 100 in just 8.1 overs. Abhishek’s whirlwind knock of 50 from 24 balls ended with a stumping in the 8th over, while Tilak continued his onslaught. In a 32-ball 50, Tilak brought up his maiden T20 century in just 51 balls, with a series of boundaries and sixes. Despite losing wickets in the latter stages, including Tilak (107) in the final over, India’s innings had already set a daunting target.
Exciting Performances and Key Contributions
The debutant Ramandeep Singh (15 off 6 balls) impressed with a six off his first delivery. South African bowlers Keshav Maharaj and Simlon claimed 2 wickets each, while Marco Jansen took 1 wicket.
