India delivered a commanding performance to secure a 3-1 series victory over South Africa with a thumping 135-run win in the final T20I at Johannesburg.
Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma dazzled with centuries, helping India post a mammoth 283/1, their highest T20I total overseas.
Sanju Samson of India celebrates his 100 runs during the International T20 Series match between South Africa and India at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg (Pic – Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix)
Batting Masterclass Sets New Records
Openers Samson and Abhishek Sharma laid a solid foundation, racing to 73 runs in the Powerplay, the second-highest in India-South Africa T20Is. Samson and Varma then took charge, putting on a record-breaking unbeaten 201-run partnership, India’s highest for any wicket in T20Is.
Samson smashed 109* off 56 balls, hitting six fours and nine sixes, while Varma hammered 120* off 47 balls, including nine fours and ten sixes.
India struck 23 sixes in total, setting a new record for the most by a Full-Member side in a T20I innings.
Samson and Varma Shine with Milestones
Samson became the first player to score three T20I centuries in a calendar year and now trails only Rohit Sharma (5) and Suryakumar Yadav (4) for most T20I tons by an Indian. Meanwhile, Varma joined an elite club, becoming the fifth Indian to score multiple T20I centuries. Both batters also notched their second consecutive hundreds, a rare feat in T20I cricket.
South Africa Collapse Under Pressure
In response, South Africa stumbled to 10/4 inside the Powerplay, with Arshdeep Singh dismantling the top order and finishing with figures of 3/30.
Despite a brief 86-run stand between David Miller (36) and Tristan Stubbs (43), the hosts folded for 148 in 18.2 overs.
Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy chipped in with two wickets each, with Chakravarthy ending the series as the highest wicket-taker (12).
India’s Dominance in South Africa
This victory solidified India’s dominance on South African soil, following series wins in 2018 and 2024.
The team’s 283/1 also marked the highest T20 total ever scored in South Africa.
India’s performance underscored their firepower and depth, with key players delivering under pressure and rewriting the T20I record books.
