Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson of India Smash Hundreds in a six-fest as the Tourists Easily win South Africa 3-1 in the Series

In the Johannesburg final on Friday, Tilak supported his 107 not out from 56 balls in Wednesday’s third game at Centurion with an undefeated 120 from 47 as India easily defeated South Africa by 135 runs after dismissing them for 148.

Following Samson’s incredible hitting effort of 73 from 35 deliveries with opening partner Abishek Sharma (36 off 18), Tilak and Samson (109no off 56 balls) hammered an unbroken second-wicket partnership of 210 from 86 balls.

Together, Tilak (10), Samson (9) and Abishek (4) smashed 23 sixes in Johannesburg, which was the third-highest total in a T20 international innings. The other two highest totals were the 26 Nepal thudded against Mongolia in 2023 and the 27 Zimbabwe amassed when they reached 344 against The Gambia in October.

In terms of runs, South Africa’s loss was the most significant in the format, surpassing their 111-run loss to Australia in Durban the previous year.

The 30-year-old scored consecutive hundreds in the first Twenty20 match against South Africa in Durban and the last game of a series against Bangladesh at home in October.

However, prior to Friday’s century, he had consecutive ducks against the Proteas in Gqeberha and Centurion, being removed at the first and second balls, respectively.

As seamer Arshdeep Singh hit three runs and got within one of spinner Yuzvendra Chahal’s record 96 T20 wickets for India, South Africa collapsed to 10-4 in three overs in response.

Before trapping the dangerous Heinrich Klaasen leg before wicket for a golden duck the next ball, the left-armer had opposition captain Aiden Markram (8) caught after bowling Reeza Hendricks (1) well.

With a partnership of 86 from 54 balls, Tristan Stubbs (43 off 29) and David Miller (36 off 27) saved South Africa from total humiliation. Marco Jansen also contributed 29 not out off 12 deliveries.

Focus switches to Test cricket for India and South Africa

A low-scoring thriller in Gqeberha two days later saw the local team tie the series after India had won the opening match in Durban by 61 runs.

After thwarting South Africa’s attempt to reach 220 for victory, the tourists eventually grabbed an 11-run triumph in Centurion.

South Africa will now host Sri Lanka for a two-Test series, starting in Durban on November 27, while India’s next match is a five-Test series in Australia, beginning in Perth on November 22.

In addition to their three Twenty20 matches, three One-Day Internationals, and two Test matches against Pakistan in December and January, South Africa’s matches against Sri Lanka are shown live on Sky Sports.