New Delhi: After going down in the second T20I against South Africa, Team India defeated the Proteas by a narrow margin of 11 runs in the third T20I that was held at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on Wednesday. The Men in Blue lead the series 2-1 after clinching what turned out to be a thrilling clash. Marco Jansen had almost taken the hosts over the line with his late boost but Arshdeep Singh had some other plans.
Inviting the visitors to bat first, South Africa couldn’t halt India below 200. A half-century by Abhishek Sharma (50 off 25) and an unbeaten maiden international century by Tilak Varma (107* off 56) helped India post 219/6 in 20 overs. Hardik Pandya made a contribution of 18 runs while Ramandeep Singh, the debutant, could score 15 off 6 balls. Rinku Singh was underutilized yet again as he mustered eight runs batting at no. 6.
In response, South Africa started off well for the chase as opener Ryan Rickelton hit 20 off 15 and Reeza Hendricks made 21 off 13. Skipper Aiden Markram hit 29 off 18 balls while Tristan Stubbs made a run-a-ball 12. It was Heinrich Klaasen who lifted the spirit of the Proteas fans with his 22-ball 41 laced with a four and four sixes. David Miller made a run a ball 18 while it was Jansen who unexpectedly hit a 17-ball 54 with the help of four fours and five sixes but SA could manage 208/7 in 20 overs.
The victory delighted the Indian cricket fans who at once almost lost hopes seeing the fiery batting display of Jansen. They heaped massive praise on Tilak Varma as he became the youngest Indian batter to hit a century in T20Is and also passed wishes to him for achieving a huge milestone. Other players like Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh were praised as well.
Here are a few fan reactions after India beat South Africa in the third T20I in Centurion –
What a thriller. Nervous finish.. well done India & well played South Africa #INDvSA
— Rajesh Kumar (@rajeshkumarpv) November 13, 2024
Solid match after long! Both teams fought furious target.Credits to Tilak inn & Abhishek partnership!Juicy unexpected inn Jansen with bat.Must mention Bishnoi maturity at death overs.Overall a close game!IND be happy but middle order must wake up towards leading 2-1#INDvsSA 🏏🏆
— Vignesh Sai (@vibabay92) November 13, 2024
Chha gaya Verma ji Ladka !!! 💯#TilakVerma #SAvsIND#INDvsSA #indvssat20 pic.twitter.com/ZwLkvBvByb
— Cricket Minister🏏 (@CricketMinister) November 13, 2024
This should’ve been an easy win for India, but IND were playing with one less bowler! So they had to bowl 4 overs of Pandya! And he wasn’t having an ideal day today!
Ramandeep should’ve gotten atleast 1 over somewhere! And Avesh Khan has to be in, He’s a proper pacer!#INDvsSA
— MiddleStump! (@CarrsAcc) November 13, 2024
INDIA IN T20I IN 2024:
W, W, W, W, W, W, W, W, W, W, W, L, W, W, W, W, W, W, W, W, W, W, W, L, W.
THE WORLD CHAMPIONS 🇮🇳🙇#INDvSA #INDvsSA #SAvIND #HardikPandya #SAvsIND#SuryakumarYadav #KLRahul #ViratKohli #SanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/mizVMHN9K1
— Monish (@Monish09cric) November 13, 2024
Dominating India 🇮🇳 #indvssat20 #INDvSA #INDvsSA #SAvIND #SAvsIND #Tilak #tilakverma #arshdeepsingh #abhisheksharma https://t.co/nBsCeepy5X
— Praveen Kumar Tiwari (@tpraveen175) November 13, 2024
Team India bounced back and registered an 11-run win in the third T20I against South Africa at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on Wednesday. They now lead the four-match series 2-1. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
