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In an unforgettable 4th T20I, India delivered a bat𝓰ting masterclass against South Afric♔a, recording their highest T20 total against the Proteas and the second-highest in the format’s history. Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma stole the show with dazzling centuries, dismantling the opposition’s bowling attack in style.
The Indian openers started aggressively, but the real fireworks began after Abhishek Sharma‘s dismissal. Samson, the star of the first game, and Tilak, the standout from the third match, combined forces to light up the Joburg sky with their extraordinary stroke play.
Century duel thrills the crowd
Both Samson and Tilak raced toward their centuries, providing 🦹the crowd with a thrilling spectacle. Tila✅k took the lead in the closing overs, dominating the strike, while Samson reached his milestone shortly after, solidifying his place as one of India’s T20 stalwarts.
South Africa’s performance in the field was far from ideal, with their bowling lacking discipline and their fielding ಞplagued by errors. This allowed the Indian duo to capitalize on every opportunity and pile on a mammoth score.
Sanju Samson’s calm and composed century
Samson reached his second century of the series in the 18th over with a single off Gerald Coetzee. Unlike his typical flamboyant celebrations, Samson opted for a subdued acknowledgment of 𒐪the crowd, raising his bat without removing his helmet or flexing his biceps. His innings showcased his ability to ride the bounce and find gaps, as demonstrated by the punch off a short-of-length delivery to bring up his ton. This knock, arguably better than his first-century effort, was a testament to his growing maturity as a T20 batter.
Tilak Varma’s exuberant celebration
Tilak followed suit with a back-to-back century, achieving the milestone in the 19th over against Lutho Sipamla. The youngster, a product of Suryakumar Yadav’s guidance, celebrated with raw emotion—leaping in the air, removing his helmet, and pointing to the sky in gratitude. Tilak’s innings had a m🥂ix of flair and fortune, but his intent and aggressive approach defined his success. He reached the milestone with a dar🌳ing dive to complete a second run, showcasing his determination and hunger for big scores.
Joining an elite club of T20 centurions
With their magnificent knocks, Samson 🔥and Tilak joined an exclusive list of players who have scored conꦏsecutive centuries in T20Is:
- Gustav Mckeon
- Rilee Rossouw
- Phil Salt
- Sanju Samson
- Tilak Varma
Here is how fans reacted
Those are two great knocks!
👏👏 Samson and Tilak— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62)
Century Ka Tilak. Solid 💯 on South Afr🍃ican soil by Vaꦰrma.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan)
Three centuries in just 5 games. First player to score three T20i centuries in a year.
Sanju has made u♓p for the lost time. Incredible, Chetta 👏👏— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash)
Consecutive centuries fr Ti🍌lak Varma & also 2 centuries fr Samson in this series 👏👏👏👏
— Baba♛i-Abbai అభిమాని 🚁 (@Dhanush42930901)
Centurie𒉰s from Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma gui🍸de India towards a mammoth total 💪 ��:
— ICC (@ICC)
Tilak Varma – 120* (47).
Sanju Samson – 109* (56).
Abhishek – 36 (18).INDIA HAMMERED 283/1 IN A T20I🤡 MATCH VS SOUTH AFRICA. 🚨
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)
Sanju Samson – 109*(56)
Tilak Varma – 120*(47)
INDIA POSTED 283 FOR 1 ꦿFROM 20 OVERS IN SOUTH AFRICA 🇮🇳
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
Ithaanda Match uh 🥵🥵
Sanju Samson & Tilak Varma 🔥— Mʀ.Aʀᴜɴɴ (@Bloody_Arun)
This is the FIRST EVER instance 🦹of 2 cent🔯uries in a T20I innings. (full-members)
Sanju Samson 💯
Tilak Varma 💯— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats)
Centuries for both Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson
Take a bow 🙏— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
Sanju samson and Tilak Varma century 💯🔥
— Desi Bhayo (@desi_bhayo88)
//twitter.com/Rinu2497/status/1857465168072233202
Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma to S🦩outh Africa bowlers 🤣.
— Ashutosh Sri꧙vasta🥂va 🇮🇳 (@sri_ashutosh08)