“Samson & Varma’s Record Centuries Power India to Series Win Over SA”

Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma Shine with Centuries as India Crush South Africa in Record-Breaking Win

Johannesburg | November 15, 2024
In a dominant display at The Wanderers Stadium, Team India secured a commanding 135-run victory over South Africa in the fourth and decisive T20I, sealing the series 3-1. Centuries from Sanju Samson (109* off 56 balls) and Tilak Varma (120* off 47 balls) powered India to a record total of 283/1, their highest-ever in T20Is involving two full-member teams.

The Indian bowlers, led by Arshdeep Singh (3/20), complemented the batting fireworks, dismantling South Africa for just 148 in 18.2 overs.

Batting Blitzkrieg

Winning the toss and opting to bat, India’s innings got off to a solid start. Openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma added 73 runs in the Powerplay, with Sharma contributing a brisk 36 off 18 balls before falling to Lutho Sipamla.

What followed was a record-breaking 210-run unbeaten partnership between Samson and Varma. Tilak Varma, fresh off a century in the previous game, reached his second consecutive T20I century in just 41 balls, becoming only the second Indian to achieve this feat. He finished with 120 runs, including 9 fours and 10 sixes. Samson, who had a roller-coaster series, brought up his second ton of the series in 51 balls, striking 6 fours and 9 sixes.

Their onslaught left the South African bowlers helpless, with Gerald Coetzee’s injury adding to their woes.

Bowling Dominance

India’s mammoth total put the South African batting lineup under immense pressure. Arshdeep Singh delivered a sensational opening spell, dismissing Reza Hendricks (0), Aiden Markram (8), and Heinrich Klaasen (0) within two overs. South Africa reeled at 10/4, with Hardik Pandya also chipping in to remove Ryan Rickelton (1).

A brief resistance from Tristan Stubbs (43 off 29) and David Miller (36 off 27) raised some hopes, but Varun Chakravarthy (2/42) and Axar Patel (2/6) ensured there was no comeback. The hosts were bowled out for 148, handing India their biggest-ever T20I victory against South Africa.

Key Highlights

• India’s total of 283/1 is the highest-ever T20I score at The Wanderers Stadium.
• Sanju Samson became the third Indian batter to score three T20I centuries.
• Tilak Varma’s back-to-back centuries cemented his position as a rising star in international cricket.
• Arshdeep Singh’s spell (3/20) ensured India’s dominance with the ball.

Brief Scores:

India: 283/1 in 20 overs (Tilak Varma 120, Sanju Samson 109, Abhishek Sharma 36; Lutho Sipamla 1/58)
South Africa: 148 all out in 18.2 overs (Tristan Stubbs 43, David Miller 36; Arshdeep Singh 3/20, Varun Chakravarthy 2/42, Axar Patel 2/6)

India’s victory in this match and the series marks a continuation of their stellar T20I form, having won 24 of their 26 matches in 2024.