bilateral T20I series between South Africa and India It ended with a spectacular display of batting prowess in the fourth match at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Friday, November 15. This match not only showcased thrilling cricket but also many records were broken marking a historic moment for both the teams.
A record-breaking performance
In a match that will be remembered for their extraordinary performance, India posted a stunning total of 283 runs, the highest ever against South Africa and the second highest T20I score for India. This monumental achievement was largely due to explosive hitting Sanju Samson and Tilak Varmaboth scored centuries. Their partnership of 210 runs for the second wicket stands as the highest partnership for India in T20Is and highlights their dominance throughout the innings.
The individual brilliance of Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma shines through
Samson’s 109 off 56 balls and Varman’s 120 off just 47 balls were not the only match-winning performances; they were record-breaking achievements. Samson became the first player in history to score three T20I centuries in a calendar year, while Varma made his mark as only the second Indian to score back-to-back T20I centuries. Their excellent ability to score quickly was evident as they took India to the fastest 200 runs in T20I history, reaching the milestone in just 14.1 overs.
Also READ: SA vs IND: Fans go crazy as Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma hit dazzling tons in 4th T20I
SA vs IND, 4c T20I: List of major records broken
Let’s take a detailed look at every record broken in this historic match.
- Highest score against South Africa: 283 runs
India’s total of 283 runs is the highest ever recorded against South Africa in a T20I. This remarkable achievement surpassed his previous record West IndiaScored 258 runs against South Africa at Centurion in 2023. The achievement highlights India’s batting prowess in particularly challenging conditions and marks the second highest T20I score overall behind their record of 297 against. Bangladesh earlier in 2024.
- Largest margin of victory: 135 runs
India’s 135-run win is now the biggest by any team against South Africa in terms of runs in T20Is. This record not only highlights India’s dominance in this match, but also reflects their ability to perform under pressure, displaying a complete team effort with both bat and ball.
- Record partnership: 210 runs for the second wicket
The 210-run partnership between Samson and Varma is the highest for any wicket for India in T20Is. This partnership is also the second highest stand in T20I history and showcases their exceptional synergy and ability to build effective batting. Their performance played a key role in building a huge total for South Africa to chase.
- Samson’s historic achievement
In a remarkable individual performance, Samson scored 109, making him the first player to score three T20I centuries in a calendar year. This milestone reflects his consistency and ability to perform at the highest level throughout the year, cementing his place as one of the best batsmen in the format.
- Centuries of Varma Back
Varma’s 120 not out made him the second Indian player to score back-to-back centuries in T20Is, following teammate Samson. This achievement highlights his rapid rise as a key player for India and demonstrates his potential for future contributions to the team.
- First pair of full member nations to score together in centuries
Samson and Varma made history as the first pair from full member nations to score centuries in the same T20I innings. This record underlines their exceptional performance and adds further importance to their partnership during this match.
- Most sixes in an innings: 23 sixes
The match saw a total of 23 sixes hit by India, marking the most sixes ever recorded in a T20I innings between two full member nations. This explosive innings included Varma’s sixteen and Samson’s nine, showcasing their aggressive batting style and ability to consistently clear the boundary.
- Varun Chakravarthy’s wicket-taking record
Bowler Varun Chakraborty achieved a milestone by taking 12 wickets during this bilateral T20I series, setting a new record for most wickets taken by an Indian bowler in such a series. His effective bowling was crucial in restricting South Africa during the innings.
India’s 135-run win not only gave them a 3-1 series win but also highlighted their batting depth and ability to perform under pressure. The fourth T20I will be remembered as a landmark event where records fell like dominoes, showcasing the exciting potential of T20 cricket. With performances like these, both Samson and Varma have established themselves as key players for India going forward and have their fans excited for what’s next on the international stage.
