Following India’s triumph against South Africa in the third T20I match, skipper Suryakumar Yadav expressed that his men have played the kind of cricket they wished to play. India’s victory over South Africa was by 11 runs and played at Centurion. The thrilling win in Centurion proved beneficial and the Men in Blue took a 2-1 lead in the four-match T20I series. India’s skipper did not have much of an impact on the match as he made only one run from four balls in the first inning. He was eventually dismissed by Andile Simelane. In the post match presentation, Suryakumar touched upon the aspect of young players in the team and said how they trust these players’ game after and even if they sit out a few innings with cricketers who are so ambitious.
Suryakumar too spoke highly of Tilak Varma and added that he was of the belief that the only young man did what he did in Centurion.
“Very happy. What we discussed during team meetings, we expressed it in the game that is the style of cricket we wanted to play. (How the young players take on the message of being fearless) That is what we have been telling them to do – just like they have been doing in the nets, for their franchises and for their states. Lots of young players have come in and gone. And let me tell you, how about Tilak Varma. He came to me there, it was Gqeberha, and told me to let him bat at three. I told him today is your day so just have fun. I was aware of his excellence and was elated for him. He is coming in at three no doubts about that (smiles). He asked, he delivered – Very pleased for his family,” Suryakumar was quoted by ESPNcricinfo as saying
To summarize the game, once again, South Africa has won the toss and opted to bat first.
In a match-leading performance, Abhishek Sharma (50 runs off 25 balls with 3 fours and 5 sixes) and his counterpart Tilak Varma (107* runs off 56 balls with 8 fours and 7 sixes) put on an astonishing partnership to take India to 219/6 in the first innings. Other batters from the Men in Blue didn’t do much with the bat.
Andile Simelane and Keshav Maharaj spearheaded the attack for the Proteas having both taken two wickets in their respective spells.
In their run chase, Heinrich Klaasen (41 runs from 22 balls, 1 four and 4 sixes) together with Marco Jansen (54 runs from 17 balls, 4 fours and 5 sixes) provided explosive innings and kept the match alive for the Proteas. But in the end, it is the Indian team who managed to rejoice with the podium finish, thanks to Arshdeep.
All those overs, Arshdeep Singh occupied the attacking and finishing roles as he claimed three important wickets while conceding 37 runs within his either four over set. Varun Chakaravarthy managed to claim two scalps in his four over spell.
In the end, Tilak Varma was awarded ‘Player of the Match’ tactfully scoring unbeatable runs.
