Pic : BCCI/ X
A clinical India came out with a solid all- round performance with both bat and ball as they routed South Africa by a whopping 135 runs in the fourth T20I to clinch the four- match series 3-1.
Earlier, India Skipper Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and opted to bat first . And his batsmen did not disappoint with his decision. Openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma gave India the power start in power play . The duo smashed the Proteas bowling all- around putting
on 73 for the first wicket in mere 5. 5 overs . Abhishek Out for 36 ( 18 balls, 2 fours, 4 sixes) the intent and the aggression was set for the onslaught .
Dismissed in previous two matches without scoring Sanju samson bounced back to score his third T20I hundred and second of the series . It was yet another blistering knock and an unbeaten one too. Samson hit 109 not out ( 56 balls , 6 fours and 9 sixes). And giving him superb support from the other end was Tilak Varma, who in earlier match scored his maiden T20I ton.
To prove that it was no fluke, Varma hit his second consecutive ton a brilliant unbeaten 120 which came off just 47 balls studded with 9 fours , 10 sixes. The Samson – Varma carnage shocked South Africa and India posted a mammoth target of 283/ 1 in their 20 overs. It was brutal batting display. The duo put on stunning 210 run partnership.
South Africa bowlers were at the receiving end at the figures said it all : Marco Jansen 0/ 42 ( 4 overs) , Gerald Coetzee 0/43 ( 3 overs), Lutho Sipamla the lone wicket- taker 1/ 58 ( 4 overs) , Andile Simelane 0/ 47 ( 3 overs) , Keshav Maharaj 0/ 42 (3 overs), Aiden Markram 0/ 30 ( 2 overs) and Tristan Stubbs 0/ 219 1 over)
In reply South Africa were rattled by early wickets and and they never recovered from that. India were all over them . Ryan Rickelton ( 1),
Reeza Hendricks ( 0) , Skipper Aiden Markram ( 8) . South Africa reeling at 10/ 3 in 2. 5 overs. Tristan Stubbs tried his best 43 ( 29 balls , 3 fours, 2 sixes), Heinrich Klaasen was out cheaply again ( 0) , David Miller 36 ( 27 balls , 2 fours 3 sixes), Marco Jansen not out 29 . Andile Simelane ( 2) , Gerald Coetzee ( 12) , Keshav Maharaj ( 6) ,Lutho Sipamla ( 3). South Africa found the chase too daunting and were bowled out for 148/ 10 in 18. 2 overs.
Indian bowlers were relentless : Arshdeep Singh 3/ 20 ( 3 overs) was brilliant at the top . Well supported by Hardik Pandya 1/ 8 ( 3 overs), Varun Chakaravarthy 2/ 42 ( 4 overs) , Ramandeep Singh 1/ 42 ( 3.2 overs) Ravi Bishnoi 1/ 28 ( 3 overs) , Axar Patel 2/ 6 ( 2 overs)
Match: 4th T20I
Venue: Johannesburg | Date: Nov 15, 2024
