Tilak Varma’s sparkling hundred, and his 107-run stand with Abhishek Sharma (50), and Arshdeep Singh’s crucial three-wicket haul paved the way for India’s thrilling 11-run victory over South Africa at Centurion. This win gives India a 2-1 lead in the four-match series, with the decisive final match set to take place in Johannesburg on November 15.
Marco Jansen, the standout performer on the night, once again removed Sanju Samson for a duck. Tilak walked in at No. 3 and looked in the mood to score big on an excellent batting pitch. He forged a match-defining partnership with Abhishek, who also smashed a whirlwind fifty to end his streak of low scores. Despite losing Samson early, India managed to score 70 in the Powerplay, thanks to Tilak and Abhishek staying true to their approach. Both players made full use of the short square boundaries against the pacers.
Then, in a span of five overs, India lost three quick wickets — Abhishek, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya. Despite wickets falling around him, Tilak showed remarkable composure. It was a very well-paced innings. It took him just 19 balls to move from 50 to 100. Playing in his first T20I, Ramandeep Singh contributed towards the end with a brisk cameo to take India past the 200-run mark, but an excellent final over from Jansen ensured they didn’t go past 220.
South Africa were playing with an extra bowler, so they needed their top order to step up in the run chase, which didn’t happen. Ryan Rickelton and Reeza Hendricks looked promising but failed to convert their starts. Skipper Aiden Markram’s poor run of form continued as he once again fell to Varun Chakravarthy. The hero of the last game, Tristan Stubbs, was dismissed while attempting an improvised shot off Axar Patel.
At 84/4 after 10 overs, the hosts seemed far from chasing down their target. But, in the 14th over, Heinrich Klaasen smashed 23 runs off Varun, swinging the momentum in South Africa’s favour. Once Klaasen departed for 41, India appeared to have sealed it, but Jansen’s blistering 54 off 17 balls threatened to snatch victory. However, Arshdeep held his nerve and delivered in the final over to secure a win for India.