India create several milestones in record performance against South Africa
Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma score centuries as India break multiple records in the fourth and final T20I against South Africa in Johannesburg on 15 November.
The Johannesburg skies were lit up by sixes as the India batters powered their way to a massive total of 283/1 from 20 overs.
In the final T20I of India’s tour of South Africa, India took the field knowing they couldn’t lose the four-game series having taken a 2-1 lead, while South Africa aimed to level the contest.
After winning the toss, India opted to bat first, aiming to pressure the Proteas with a daunting target to chase.
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
The opening pair of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma gave the side just the right start, carrying their stellar form into this game, amassing 73 runs in the powerplay before Abhishek Sharma edged one to Heinrich Klaasen.
Riding high on his maiden T20I century from the last game, Tilak Verma came in all guns blazing, further accelerating the tempo, which was already overwhelming for the South African bowlers.
Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma unleashed an onslaught of fours and sixes, with both batters storming into triple figures.
Tilak Varma’s 120 of 47 balls saw him become the second Indian after Sanju Samson, and the fifth player overall to score consecutive centuries in T20I cricket.
Sanju Samson’s 109 of 56 balls marked his third century in the last five T20Is he has played.
Suryakumar Yadav’s faith in Tilak Varma paid off in the third T20I against South Africa 💪 #SAvIND | ✍: https://t.co/3VpF2sjAuY pic.twitter.com/qn7WqihdJu
— ICC (@ICC) November 14, 2024
The total of 283 is the highest of all T20s in South Africa. Centuries from Tilak and Samson meant that India became just the third international side after the Czech Republic and Japan to have two batters score hundreds in an innings.
With 23 sixes in their innings, India registered the third-highest number of sixes in a T20I innings, and the most in a T20I between two Full Member sides.
The partnership of 210* between Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma is the highest for any wicket for India in T20Is. With this total, along with their 297 against Bangladesh a couple of months ago, India now occupies the top two spots for the highest totals in a T20I between two Full Member sides.
South Africa were precariously placed at 10/4 in pursuit of India’s massive score at the 3 over mark.