Tilak Varma’s maiden century guided India to an 11-run win over South Africa in the third T20I on Wednesday. India now leads the series 2-1. Tilak scored 107 off 56 balls (8 fours, 7 sixes), helping India reach 219 for six. Marco Jansen fought back with a quick 54 off 17 balls (4 fours, 5 sixes), but South Africa finished at 208 for seven. The game seemed decided after Heinrich Klaasen (41) was dismissed, with 53 runs required from the final 14 balls in the chase of 220.
Jansen’s maiden T20I fifty nearly led South Africa to an incredible comeback against India, but Arshdeep Singh (3/37) sealed the win for India by trapping Jansen leg-before with three balls remaining. Jansen’s explosive finish and Klaasen’s quick 22-ball knock were South Africa’s main highlights after Varma’s superb unbeaten 107 had set India up for a strong total.
Tilak Varma’s Maiden Century Leads India to Thrilling 11-Run Victory Over South Africa
In the chase, Ryan Rickelton (20) couldn’t capitalize on some early luck and was eventually bowled off his own bat. Shortly after, Reeza Hendricks (21) was stumped off Varun Chakravarthy, and captain Aiden Markram (29) mis-hit a wide ball to midwicket, also falling to Chakravarthy.
Tristan Stubbs (12) fell to spin, trapped leg-before by Axar Patel. Indian spinners gained control briefly before Klaasen’s onslaught. Klaasen disrupted Chakravarthy’s figures with a 23-run over. His powerful hitting brought back memories of the T20 World Cup final, as he smashed three massive sixes off Chakravarthy. One of the sixes reached the top-tier roof.
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Chakravarthy bowled short and wide outside off-stump, forcing Klaasen to hit straight to cover. However, skipper Suryakumar Yadav misjudged the ball, allowing it to slip through his hands. At deep midwicket, Patel made a perfect jump to dismiss David Miller (18) off Pandya. It was reminiscent of his stunning World Cup catch to dismiss Mitchell Marsh.
Earlier, play was delayed for nearly 30 minutes as flying ants swarmed SuperSport Park. Once the game resumed, Tilak Varma showcased a batting masterclass, scoring his maiden international century to set up India’s imposing total with strong support from Abhishek, who scored a quick-fire 50.
The 22-year-old Tilak dominated South African pacers, hitting seven sixes and eight fours in his 57-ball knock. His performance helped India post their second-highest T20I score against South Africa. Abhishek also ended his poor run, scoring a brisk 50 off 25 balls. His knock included five sixes and three fours, as both left-handers dazzled with their batting.Tilak’s varied stroke play helped India maintain momentum even through brief slumps.