Johannesburg, 16 November (HS). After a disappointing defeat in the fourth T20I match of the series against India, South Africa captain Aiden Markram admitted that the Indian team completely outclassed the hosts in all three aspects of the game in Johannesburg. India registered a massive 135-run win over South Africa in the fourth T20 match of the series and won the series 3-1.
After the match, Markram said that the Men in Blue dominated the Proteas in all three aspects of the game. He also praised the Indian cricketers for their performance with both bat and ball. The Proteas captain admitted that India put pressure on them and it was difficult for them to make a comeback.
He said, “India completely outplayed us in all three aspects of the game. Gotta give them credit, with bat and ball they put us under pressure and it was difficult for us to come back. Some good honest reflections are needed. As a team we will make a good reflection, as a white-ball team we have some time, put in some work and ultimately come back as better players with better skills and better execution.”
After winning the toss, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav decided to bat first. This decision proved beneficial as the team performed brilliantly. Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma opened the batting for India and made a solid partnership of 73 runs. Abhishek played a brilliant innings, hitting 2 fours and 4 sixes, but Lutho Sipamala sent him to the pavilion in the sixth over.
After this, Tilak Verma and Samson played explosive innings. Sanju Samson completed his century in just 51 balls in the 18th over, after which Tilak Verma scored his second T20 century in the very next over. With the record breaking partnership of 210 runs between Samson and Tilak, India made a huge score of 283 runs for 1 wicket in 20 overs. Samson played a stormy inning of 109 runs on 51 balls, while Tilak played an unbeaten inning of 120 runs on just 47 balls.
In reply, South Africa was reduced to 148 runs in 19 overs. For the hosts, Tristan Stubbs (43 runs from 29 balls, 3 fours and 2 sixes) and David Miller (36 runs from 27 balls, 2 fours and 3 sixes) were the top scorers.
