Ahmedabad, Dec 20: India sealed a commanding 3–1 Twenty20 International series victory over South Africa, clinching the final match by 30 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium, underlining their strong preparations for the defence of their T20 World Cup title.
Powered by fluent half-centuries from Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya, India posted a daunting 231 for five, setting up a comprehensive win. South Africa’s chase showed early promise but unravelled sharply, collapsing from 120 for one to 201 for eight.
India’s innings was launched by Sanju Samson, drafted in as opener in place of the injured Shubman Gill, and Abhishek Sharma. The pair raced ahead at nearly 11 runs per over, with Samson smashing 63 runs inside the Powerplay and the duo bringing up 97 within nine overs.
The momentum was carried through the middle overs by Varma and Pandya, who added a decisive 105-run partnership in just 7.2 overs. Pandya blazed his way to 63 off 25 balls, reaching his fifty in a mere 16 deliveries, while Varma struck a composed 73 off 42 balls, including a 30-ball half-century. Pandya was accorded a standing ovation as he walked back after his dismissal.
In response, South Africa’s innings was jolted by Jasprit Bumrah, who dismissed Quinton de Kock with a pinpoint yorker and finished with an outstanding 2 for 17 from four overs. Leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy, despite being taken for runs earlier, staged a strong comeback to claim 4 for 53, tightening India’s grip on the match.
The emphatic series win reinforces India’s status as a formidable force ahead of the T20 World Cup, with both their batting depth and bowling firepower clicking at the right time.
“India’s preparations for their T20 World Cup defence look daunting after sweeping aside South Africa 3–1,” summed up the dominant performance, as the hosts closed the series on a high note.
