New Delhi, November 16, 2024
The Indian cricket team concluded their T20I journey for 2024 with a resounding 135-run victory over South Africa in the 4th and final match of the series at The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. Powered by scintillating centuries from Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma, India dominated in every department to secure a 3-1 series win.
A Record-Breaking Batting Display
Batting first, India posted an imposing total of 283 for 1, the highest T20I total ever recorded against South Africa. The innings was anchored by stunning centuries from Tilak Varma (120 off 47 balls) and Sanju Samson (109 off 56 balls), marking the first instance of two Indian batters scoring centuries in the same T20I match.
Tilak Varma’s explosive knock included 13 fours and 7 sixes, earning him the Player of the Match award. Samson, equally dominant, smashed 12 boundaries and 5 sixes. Their partnership set the tone for a record-breaking performance that left the South African bowlers helpless.
Bowling Brilliance
Defending the massive total, India’s bowlers delivered an equally commanding performance. Arshdeep Singh starred with the ball, taking 3 wickets during the powerplay to dismantle South Africa’s top order. Spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel contributed with two wickets each, as the Proteas were bowled out for just 148 in 18.2 overs.
India’s Historic Year
This victory not only marked India’s largest margin of victory against South Africa in T20Is but also capped a remarkable year for the team. India played 26 T20I matches in 2024, winning 24 of them—an unprecedented feat that underscores their dominance in the shortest format.
Looking Ahead
The Indian cricket team will now shift focus to Test cricket, with the much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 set to begin on November 22.
Match Summary
India Playing XI: Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakravarthy.
South Africa Playing XI: Ryan Rickelton, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Andile Simelane, Keshav Maharaj, Lutho Sipamla.
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