NEW DELHI: Team India registered a thrilling 11-run win against South Africa in the third T20 International in Centurion as the visitors took an unassailable 2-1 lead in the four-match series.
The victory was significant as it marked India’s eighth 200-plus total in T20 matches in 2024, setting a new record for the most 200-plus totals by any team in a calendar year.
Sent in to bat first, India posted a commanding total of 219/6, fueled by Tilak Varma‘s exceptional century. Varma’s unbeaten 107 runs off 56 deliveries were studded with eight fours and seven sixes, showcasing his aggressive batting prowess. Abhishek Sharma provided substantial support to Varma, contributing a quickfire 50 runs off 25 balls, hitting three fours and five sixes.India’s previous record of seven 200-plus totals in a year, achieved in 2023, was surpassed with this innings. The other teams to achieve the feat seven times in a calendar year were Birmingham Bears (2022) and Japan (2024).
Tilak Varma’s century marked India’s fifth individual century in T20 Internationals in 2024. This achievement equaled the record for the most centuries scored by a team in a calendar year in T20s. The record was previously shared by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2016) and India (2023).
Apart from Varma, Sanju Samson (with two centuries), Abhishek Sharma, and Rohit Sharma have also scored centuries for India in T20Is in 2024.
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South Africa fought back valiantly, keeping the chase alive with powerful hitting from Heinrich Klaasen and Marco Jansen.
Klaasen’s quickfire 41 runs off 22 balls included four sixes, while Jansen blasted a 17-ball 54, smashing five sixes and four boundaries. Jansen’s innings were noteworthy for being the fastest fifty against India in T20 Internationals.
Despite their efforts, South Africa fell 11 runs short of the target.
Arshdeep Singh emerged as the pick of the Indian bowlers, claiming 3 wickets for 37 runs. He played a pivotal role in both the powerplay and death overs, including dismissing the dangerous Jansen in the final over.