Tilak Varma scored a maiden Twenty20 International century with a brilliant 107 from 56 balls to help India to an 11-run victory over hosts South Africa at Centurion Park yesterday, a game that was stopped for nearly half an hour by flying ants.
India were sent in to bat and amassed an impressive 219 for six in their 20 overs, boosted by the hitting of Varma and a sprightly 50 from 25 balls by opener Abhishek Sharma.
South Africa were always behind in their chase in the face of some excellent spin bowling from Axar Patel (1-29 in four overs) and the wiles of seamer Arshdeep Singh (3-37), but a late flurry of runs got them close.
They managed 208 for seven in reply and trail India 2-1 in the four-match series with the final game to be played in Johannesburg on Friday.
Varma and Sharma put on 107 from 50 balls for the second wicket to lay the platform for the visitors as South Africa lacked discipline with the ball, conceding 10 wides and three no balls in the innings.
Varma reached his century from 51 deliveries as he struck eight fours and seven sixes.
The South African reply was an over old when the players were forced from the field for almost 30 minutes by a swarm of flying ants.
When they returned, India’s spinners squeezed the run-rate in the middle overs, though the home side were kept in the contest by Marco Jansen’s career-best 54 from 17 balls and Heinrich Klaasen’s 41 from 22 deliveries.
When asked about the head injury Varma suffered after dropping a catch in the last over, he said: “I am okay. The catch came through the lights, so a little difficult but happy for the win.”
The young Indian batsman was thrilled with his maiden century in T20 cricket.
“I couldn’t imagine and I cannot put down in words. It was my dream and it was the right time to score a hundred for my team. A kind of a decider in the series. Under the pressure, it was a good knock. All credit goes to captain Suryakumar Yadav. He has given me an opportunity (at three). Before the game, he told me (that I would bat there),” Varma said at the awards ceremony.
“I am really, really happy (he gave me that opportunity). I just wanted to express myself and back my basics. Even under pressure, I followed the basics and backed myself.
“The wicket was slightly two-paced at the start. When Abhishek was dismissed, it was not easy for the new batter. I was waiting for one partnership and that is what we were talking about. I always believe in my basics.
“The team management backs every player (to have a positive approach),” he added.
Aiden Markram, South Africa captain, said: “Proud to get that close with some special contributions from the lower and middle order. Coming to Centurion, we knew it would be a game of really small margins. If you can win a couple of key moments here and there, you definitely give yourself a better chance.”
BRIEF SCORESIndia 219 for 6 (Tilak 107, Abhishek 50, Simelane 2-34) beat South Africa 208 for 7 (Jansen 54, Arshdeep 3-37) by 11 runs