Tilak Varma’s explosive century powered India to a formidable total of 219/6 in their third T20I match against South Africa at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Wednesday.
South Africa initially appeared in control when seamer Marco Jansen dismissed opener Sanju Samson with the second ball of the match. However, Aiden Markram’s decision to bowl first didn’t fully pay off as Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma combined to frustrate the Proteas.
Abhishek, who scored a quick-fire 50 off 25 balls with 3 fours and 5 sixes, partnered with Varma for a 107-run stand, providing India with a solid base. Abhishek brought up his half-century in the ninth over, but his innings was cut short immediately after by Keshav Maharaj.
Suryakumar Yadav, leading India as captain, was dismissed cheaply, managing just one run before falling to Andile Simelane in the 10th over. Hardik Pandya contributed a modest 18 off 16 balls before Maharaj struck again, reducing India to 4/152.
Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh then took charge, adding a valuable 58 runs together. Rinku’s innings ended in the 18th over when Simelane dismissed him for eight. Ramandeep Singh joined Varma and added a quick 15 off 6 balls, helping India surpass the 200-mark with a 28-run partnership. India wrapped up their innings at 219/6, with Tilak Varma (107*) and Axar Patel (1*) remaining unbeaten.
India (Playing XI): Sanju Samson(w), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Ramandeep Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakaravarthy
South Africa (Playing XI): Ryan Rickelton, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram(c), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen(w), David Miller, Marco Jansen, Andile Simelane, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Lutho Sipamla
