Centurion [South Africa], November 14 – India secured an 11-run victory over South Africa in the third T20I at Centurion, taking a 2-1 lead in the four-match series, thanks to an unbeaten century from Tilak Varma and a three-wicket haul from Arshdeep Singh.
South Africa began with a solid partnership between Ryan Rickelton (20 off 15) and Reeza Hendricks (21 off 13), but Arshdeep Singh made the first breakthrough by dismissing Rickelton. Skipper Aiden Markram (29 off 18) looked to accelerate but was taken down by Varun Chakaravarthy in the 10th over.
Heinrich Klaasen (41 off 22) provided a glimmer of hope with a rapid knock, hitting three sixes and a four in the 14th over. However, Arshdeep dismissed Klaasen at a crucial moment. Marco Jansen (54 off 17) kept South Africa in the chase with a powerful innings, but Arshdeep returned to take his wicket, helping India regain control. South Africa ultimately fell short at 208/7.
Arshdeep’s 3/37, along with Varun Chakaravarthy’s two wickets, led India’s bowling attack.
Earlier, South Africa won the toss and sent India to bat. Marco Jansen struck early, dismissing Sanju Samson on the second ball. However, Abhishek Sharma (50 off 25) and Tilak Varma (107* off 49) steadied the innings with a 107-run stand. Abhishek hit a quick fifty before being dismissed by Keshav Maharaj.
India saw a minor slump as Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya fell cheaply, but Tilak, along with Rinku Singh (8 off 13) and Ramandeep Singh (15 off 6), pushed India past the 200-run mark. India ended their innings at 219/6, with Tilak and Axar Patel (1*) unbeaten.
South Africa’s Andile Simelane and Keshav Maharaj each took two wickets, but couldn’t halt India’s momentum.
Brief Score: India 219/6 (Tilak Varma 107*, Abhishek Sharma 50; Andile Simelane 2/34) defeated South Africa 208/7 (Marco Jansen 54, Heinrich Klaasen 41; Arshdeep Singh 3/37).
