Durban [South Africa], November 9, 2024: Sanju Samson’s explosive century and Varun Chakaravarthy’s mystery spin powered India to a dominant 61-run victory over South Africa in the opening T20I at Kingsmead on Friday.
Samson’s dazzling knock of 107 runs helped set a formidable target of 202, while Chakaravarthy’s unplayable spin dismantled South Africa’s chase, securing India’s 22nd win in 24 T20I matches this year.
After South Africa opted to field, India initially faltered with the early loss of Abhishek Sharma (7), courtesy of Gerald Coetzee. However, Samson and skipper Suryakumar Yadav quickly stabilized the innings, forging a solid 66-run partnership to help India reach 50 runs within the first six overs. Suryakumar’s brief knock ended at 21 when Patrick Kruger dismissed him, but the momentum stayed with India as Tilak Varma joined Samson, contributing a swift 33 off 18 balls.
Samson led India’s innings with style, displaying impeccable timing and powerful shots, hitting consecutive boundaries that kept the scoreboard ticking. He reached his second consecutive T20I century, placing him in an elite list of batters like Gustav Mckeon and Rilee Rossouw who have achieved back-to-back centuries in T20I cricket. Despite quick wickets in the latter stages, including Hardik Pandya (2) and Rinku Singh (11), India managed a total of 202/8, with Gerald Coetzee leading South Africa’s bowling with figures of 3/37.
In pursuit of 203, South Africa struggled to gain footing against India’s disciplined bowling attack. Captain Aiden Markram’s dismissal at the hands of Arshdeep Singh, who induced an edge with a late-swinger, set the tone. Although Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs tried to revive the chase with some quick boundaries, the Indian bowlers consistently struck at key moments.
The turning point came when Varun Chakaravarthy entered the attack, spinning webs around the South African batters. His strategic delivery dismissed Rickelton, and soon after, he took down the dangerous Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller in the same over, effectively ending any hopes of a South African comeback. Chakaravarthy’s sharp, deceptive spin left South Africa crumbling, with the hosts eventually folding for 141, falling 61 runs short.
In the final overs, Coetzee and Marco Jansen provided brief resistance with some big hits, entertaining the Durban crowd, but the Indian bowlers held firm, sealing the match in India’s favor.
Brief Score:
India: 202/8 (Sanju Samson 107, Tilak Varma 33; Gerald Coetzee 3/37)
South Africa: 141 (Varun Chakaravarthy 3/23)
