November 16, 2024: India made history in Johannesburg with an unforgettable performance in the 4th T20I against South Africa, winning by a massive 134-run margin and setting new records that will be remembered for years to come.
The Wanderers Stadium witnessed a batting spectacle as Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma completely redefined the standards of T20I cricket, powering India to an astounding total of 283/1, the fifth-highest score ever in men’s T20I history.
The duo’s blitzkrieg, filled with fearless hitting and explosive boundaries, sent South Africa into a shell-shocked silence, while fans in the stadium and watching worldwide went into a frenzy. Abhishek Sharma’s quick-fire 36 further bolstered India’s total, but it was the brilliance of Samson and Tilak that stole the show. Their partnership was simply breathtaking, as they put together an unbeaten 210-run stand for the second wicket—India’s first-ever double-century partnership in T20Is.
The night was filled with fireworks as India launched 23 sixes, tying for the third-most sixes hit in a men’s T20I innings. Only Zimbabwe’s 27 sixes against Gambia in September 2023 stand higher. The sheer audacity and aggression with which Samson and Tilak dispatched the South African bowlers set a new benchmark for power-hitting in T20 cricket.
Not only did the pair become just the third duo in T20I history to score centuries in the same innings, but they also made India the first team to hammer three 250-plus totals in men’s T20Is, surpassing previous record-holders such as the Czech Republic, Japan, and Zimbabwe. Their record-breaking total of 283/1 became the highest T20I score ever made in South Africa, surpassing the previous best of 271/3 set by Titans in Potchefstroom in 2022.
This performance was a testament to the aggressive and fearless brand of cricket that India is currently playing under Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership. The victory secured India a 3-1 series win over the Proteas, as they continue to dominate the T20I format.
With this historic win, Team India not only smashed records but also reaffirmed their position as one of the most dangerous and entertaining sides in T20 cricket, with players like Samson, Tilak, and Abhishek Sharma leading the charge. The match will go down in history as one of the most thrilling and record-breaking T20I games ever played.
