Centurion (South Africa), November 13 (IANS). In the third T20 match against South Africa here on Wednesday at the SuperSport Park, India scored a huge score of 219/6 on the basis of Tilak Verma’s explosive unbeaten century and Abhishek Sharma’s explosive half-century.
After Sanju Samson’s wicket fell on the score of zero, Tilak Verma, who came at number three, played a brilliant inning of 107 runs unbeaten on 56 balls. He hit seven sixes and eight fours in his innings. This was his first International T20 century.
At the other end, Abhishek Sharma also scored 50 runs with the help of five sixes and three fours at a strike rate of 200. Both of them made a partnership of 107 runs in just 50 balls for the second wicket.
Andile Simelane and Keshav Maharaj took two wickets each for South Africa.
South Africa won the toss for the third consecutive match and decided to bowl first. India did not have a good start. Sanju Samson was out on zero for the second consecutive time. But after this, Abhishek and Tilak took charge brilliantly and pushed South Africa on the backfoot. Both of them thrashed all the bowlers of the host team.
At the end of the powerplay, India’s score was 70/1. Even after the powerplay, the sequence of boundaries continued for India. Sharma completed his half-century with a single after hitting Maharaj for a six over long-on. But the left-arm spinner made a comeback by stumping Sharma.
After this, Suryakumar Yadav (01) was caught by Simlen at sweeper cover.
Hardik Pandya (18) hit three beautiful fours before being out LBW on a straight ball from Maharaj.
Struggling Rinku Singh (08) was dismissed by Simelane.
Ramandeep Singh (15) made his debut in international cricket by hitting a six over long-on on his first ball. At the other end, Tilak Verma completed his century in 51 balls by hitting a four over mid-off off Sipamala.
Ramandeep was run out on the fifth ball in the last over.
Now South Africa needs 220 runs to win. Currently both the teams are tied at 1-1 in the series.
–IANS
AKJ/
