MATCH STORY
Follow UsThe fourth T20I at the Wanderers in Johannesburg witnessed absolute carnage by the Indian batters, as both Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma scored centuries in the same innings — the first such instance in India's T20I history. Not only that, they also notched up the highest partnership ever in T20Is for India as they added 210 runs off just 93 deliveries for the second wicket.
Batting first for the fourth consecutive time, India had a stupendous start yet again in the powerplay, as Samson and Abhishek Sharma didn’t let the South African pacers use the initial movement available from the track, and repeatedly used their feet to manoeuvre the line and length of the delivery.
Abhishek was belligerent in his start yet again and smashed four sixes along with two boundaries to score 36 off just 18 deliveries. Tilak, who scored his first century in the format in the third T20I, continued his impressive form and displayed a wide array of shots without wasting time.
He smashed 10 sixes and four fours in his 47 deliveries and remained unbeaten on 120 at the end of 20 overs. He took the full toll of South Africa dropping him twice. He became the only Indian batter after Samson to score consecutive T20I tons.
Meanwhile, after collecting two ducks in consecutive games after a century in the first game, Samson was at his imperious best at the Wanderers. He employed shots all across the ground, including rarely-seen reverse sweeps. He smashed nine humongous sixes and six fours that included some gorgeous inside-out shots against Keshav Maharaj’s left-arm spin.
With his third hundred in the last five T20Is, Samson became the first player in T20I history to score three hundreds in a calendar year.
India ended up with a total of 283/1 (their second-highest in the format) in 20 overs after smashing 23 sixes in an innings — the most in their T20I history.
If you’ve not downloaded the Cricket.com app yet, you’re missing out on our content — big time. Download the App here.
