In an unforgettable 4th T20I, India put on a batting masterclass against South AfricaRecords the highest T20 total against the Proteas and the second highest in the history of the format. Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma stole the show with dazzling centuries, dismantling the opposition bowling attack in style.
The Indian openers started aggressively but the real fireworks started after that Abhishek Sharmadismissal of Samson, the star of the first match, and Tilak, who stood out in the third match, joined forces to light up the Joburg sky with extraordinary batting.
The duel of the century excites the crowd
Both Samson and Tilak raced to their centuries, providing a thrilling performance for the crowd. Tilak dominated the batting and took the lead at the close, while Samson hit his landmark soon after to cement his place as one of India’s T20 quicks.
South Africa’s performance in this field was far from ideal, their bowling lacked discipline and their play was riddled with errors. This allowed the Indian duo to seize every opportunity and rack up a mammoth score.
A quiet and composed century by Sanju Samson
Samson reached his second century of the series in the 18th over with a single off Gerald Coetzee. In contrast to his typical flamboyant celebrations, Samson opted for a subdued acknowledgment from the crowd, raising his bat without removing his helmet or flexing his biceps. His shots showcased his ability to ride the bounce and find the gaps, which was showcased with a short length delivery to set the tone. Better than his maiden century effort, this knock was a testament to his growing maturity as a T20 batsman.
Tilak Varma’s exuberant celebration
Tilak followed the same step in successive centuries and reached a historic milestone in the 19th year. Nothing with Sipam. Young, the product Suryakumar Yadav‘s lead was marked by raw emotion – leaping in the air, removing his helmet and pointing to the sky in gratitude. Tilak’s batting had a mixture of talent and luck, but his intent and aggressive approach determined his success. Showing his determination and hunger for big points, he reached the stage with a daring dive to complete the second run.
Joining the elite club of T20 centurions
With their magnificent knocks, Samson and Tilak have joined the exclusive list of players who have scored consecutive centuries in T20Is:
- Gustav McKeon
- Riley Rossouw
- Phil Salt
- Sanju Samson
- Tilak Varma
Here’s the fan reaction
Those are two big hits!
👏👏 Samson and Tilak— Dale Stein (@DaleSteyn62) November 15, 2024
Asr Ka Tilak. Hard 💯 on South African soil by Varma.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) November 13, 2024
Three centuries in just 5 games. First player to score three T20i centuries in a year.
Sanju made up for lost time. Amazing, Chetta 👏👏— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) November 15, 2024
Consecutive centuries Tilak Varma and also Samson fr 2 centuries in this series 👏👏👏👏 #INDvsSA #TilakVerma #SanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/2J1U9eiroW
— Babai-Abbai fan 🚁 (@Dhanush42930901) November 15, 2024
Centuries from Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma guide India towards a mammoth total 💪#SAVIN 📝: https://t.co/nCcnyy7c2U pic.twitter.com/BLjrRC9L6n
— ICC (@ICC) November 15, 2024
Tilak Varma – 120* (47).
Sanju Samson – 109* (56).
Abhishek – 36 (18).INDIA WAS 283/1 IN T20I VS SOUTH AFRICA. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/D6JiH9BDds
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 15, 2024
Sanju Samson – 109*(56)
Tilak Varma – 120*(47)
INDIA WROTE 283 FOR 1 IN 20 IN SOUTH AFRICA 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/69wKhF3TLa
– Jones. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 15, 2024
Ithaanda Match uh 🥵🥵
Sanju Samson & Tilak Varma 🔥#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/g2tRLyomM4— Aʀᴜɴ Tᴠᴋ (@Bloddy_Arun) November 15, 2024
This is the FIRST instance of 2 centuries in a T20I innings. (full members)
Sanju Samson 💯
Tilak Varma 💯 pic.twitter.com/I1oeaOM8C6— Kaustubh Gudipati (@kaustats) November 15, 2024
Centuries for both Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson
Bow down 🙏#SanjuSamson #TilakVerma #SAvsIND pic.twitter.com/RsFAKUQku5— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) November 15, 2024
Sanju samson and Tilak Varma century 💯🔥#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/fppHW8y7Pl
— Desi Bhayo (@desi_bhayo88) November 15, 2024
Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma illuminate the game for ages!
Sanju Samson: 100* off 51 balls
Tilak Varma: 100* off 41 ballsThey are irresistible 🔥👏#INDvSA #SanjuSamson #TilakVerma pic.twitter.com/YQAxwlqZCY
— 💫 (@Rinu2497) November 15, 2024
Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma to South African athletes 🤣.#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/htuY7m0X15
— Ashutosh Srivastava 🇮🇳 (@sri_ashutosh08) November 15, 2024
