In an exhilarating encounter at The Wanderers Stadium, India faced South Africa in the 4th T20I of the India tour of South Africa 2024. After winning the toss, India chose to bat first, setting a formidable target that ultimately proved insurmountable for the hosts.
India’s batting brilliance courtesy of Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma
India delivered a sensational batting performance, posting an imposing total of 283 runs for the loss of just 1 wicket in their allotted 20 overs. The highlight of the innings was Tilak Varma, who showcased his explosive batting skills by scoring 120 runs off 47 balls, including 9 fours and a staggering 10 sixes. He was well-supported by Sanju Samson, who contributed a brilliant 109 runs off 56 balls, peppered with 6 fours and 9 sixes. The duo’s partnership laid the foundation for one of the highest scores in T20I history.
South Africa’s bowling attack struggled to contain the Indian batsmen, with Lutho Sipamla being the only bowler to claim a wicket (1 for 58 in 4 overs). The others, including Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee, were expensive, conceding runs at over 10 per over, reflecting the dominance of the Indian batters.
Also WATCH: SA vs IND – Sanju Samson’s big six hits a female fan on her face in the 4th T20I
South Africa struggle in front of massive target
Chasing an enormous target, South Africa faltered spectacularly, collapsing for just 148 runs in 18.2 overs. The innings was marked by early wickets, as the top order crumbled under pressure. Ryan Rickelton and Reeza Hendricks fell cheaply, leaving the team reeling at 2 for 2. Tristan Stubbs attempted to stabilize the innings with a fighting 43 runs off 29 balls, but he lacked support from the other batsmen.
David Miller was the only other notable contributor, scoring 36 runs off 27 balls. The South African batting lineup struggled against a disciplined Indian bowling attack, which saw Arshdeep Singh shine with figures of 3 for 20 in 3 overs. Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel also made significant contributions, taking 2 wickets each and maintaining tight control over the run rate.