India won in Centurion. On Wednesday, India took a 2-1 lead in the four-match T20 series by defeating South Africa.
Batting first in Centurion, India scored 219 runs for the loss of 6 wickets. This is India’s highest score in the T20 format. However, even a massive total like this isn’t always safe in this version of cricket. In the final over, South Africa needed 25 runs to win. Though the Proteas brigade lost by 11 runs, Klaasen (41 off 22 balls) and Jansen (54 off 17 balls) kept the Indian fans on the edge of their seats.
At one point in the last over, South Africa needed 18 runs from 4 balls to win. In the end, Arshdeep Singh widened Suryakumar Yadav’s smile as South Africa finished at 208/7. Klaasen and Jansen almost achieved the impossible, which could have overshadowed Tilak Varma’s feat. But cricket fate had other plans, which is why victory went to Suryakumar. In simple terms, India snatched victory from the jaws of the African lions.
Notably, in the 2007 T20 World Cup, India scored 218 runs against England in Durban, where Yuvraj Singh hit six sixes off Stuart Broad in an over. Until now, that 218 in Durban was India’s highest T20 score. But India surpassed that 17-year-old record in Centurion. Tilak Varma scored a century, helping India reach 219. This will be recorded as India’s highest total in the shortest format in cricket history.
South Africa won the toss and sent India to bat. India lost a wicket at zero runs. No one could have imagined that India would reach 219 from that point. Captain Suryakumar Yadav was supposed to come in at number three, but he sent Tilak Varma instead.
Then, Tilak’s dominance began. He and Abhishek Sharma put on a 107-run partnership. Abhishek scored 50 runs off 25 balls. The captain’s decision to send Tilak at number three proved correct as the young batter showcased his potential. Tilak Varma was named Man of the Match.
After Abhishek Sharma’s dismissal, Suryakumar Yadav (1) also departed quickly. Hardik Pandya (18) couldn’t stay long either, and India was 132/4, causing the run rate to slow down. But Tilak was still at the other end, starting a storm. He found support from Rinku Singh and debutant Ramandeep. Tilak Varma did not stop for a moment.
Tilak remained unbeaten at 107 runs off 56 balls, hitting 8 boundaries and 7 massive sixes. Speaking about his innings, Tilak said, “I am very happy. I had been waiting for this moment for a long time. Scoring a century after returning from injury feels unbelievable. It was challenging at the start, but the pitch became easier later. Abhishek and I were under pressure. Our partnership was very important. We aimed for a score of 200-210 runs. Our spinners are bowling well. With a solid score in hand, they will bowl even better. We will win the match.”
