Tilak Varma’s dazzling century and Arshdeep Singh’s match-winning three-wicket haul guided India to an 11-run victory over South Africa in the third T20I at Supersport Park. With the win, India took a 2-1 lead in the four-match series, ensuring they cannot lose the series with one game to spare.
Tilak, who became India’s second youngest T20I centurion, struck a blistering 107 off 56 balls, anchoring India’s total of 219 for 6. His knock was punctuated by eight fours and seven sixes. Abhishek Sharma also played a crucial knock, scoring 50 off 25 balls, as India posted an imposing total despite some late-order stumbles.
South Africa’s chase got off to a strong start with Marco Jansen’s explosive 54, but the asking rate proved too steep. Jansen’s power hitting, including four fours and five sixes, kept the hosts in the hunt, especially as he and Heinrich Klaasen (41) took the game into the final stages. However, Arshdeep’s disciplined bowling, including the crucial wicket of Jansen in the penultimate over, sealed the win for India.
The South African bowlers, missing the injured Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, struggled with accuracy, conceding 10 wides and three no-balls. Despite a brief rally, India’s total proved just out of reach as South Africa ended their innings at 208 for 7.
India’s spinners were also key, with Varun Chakravarthy continuing his excellent series form. Though Klaasen hit him for three sixes in an over, Varun claimed two vital wickets, including that of Aiden Markram, whose struggles in the T20 format continued.
In a bizarre moment during the chase, the play was briefly halted due to a swarm of flying ants, but after a 28-minute delay, the match resumed without losing any overs.
With India now 2-1 up, they will aim to seal the series in the final match on Friday, while South Africa faces further questions over their depth and strategies heading into the series.
