India vs South Africa: In a dramatic T20 clash, India defeated South Africa by 61 runs, with a scintillating century from Sanju Samson setting the stage for India’s victory. Despite Samson’s incredible knock of 107 runs from just 50 balls, including seven boundaries and ten sixes, India could only muster 202/8 in their allotted 20 overs. However, strong performances with the ball ensured South Africa was never in the hunt, and they were dismissed well before the completion of their innings.
Samson’s knock was the highlight of the innings, with the wicketkeeper-batter dominating from the word go. His aggressive approach helped India post a competitive total, but the loss of wickets in the final overs stopped India from capitalizing further on his brilliant foundation. Abhishek Sharma (6) struggled at the start, while Tilak Varma provided steady support with 33 runs. Suryakumar Yadav added a quickfire 21 runs, but the middle order crumbled under pressure. Hardik Pandya (2), Axar Patel (7), and Rinku Singh (11) failed to make significant contributions, allowing South Africa’s bowlers to limit the damage in the latter stages.
Gerald Coetzee was the standout bowler for South Africa, taking three vital wickets and preventing India from finishing stronger. He was ably supported by the rest of the South African attack, who tightened the screws in the middle overs.
Chasing 203 runs for victory, South Africa’s batting crumbled early under pressure. Heinrich Klaasen (25) was the top scorer for the visitors, while Coetzee (23) and Ryan Rickelton (21) were the only other notable contributors. However, they were unable to build any meaningful partnerships, as the Indian spinners, particularly Ravi Bishnoi and Varun Chakravarthy, tore through the South African batting lineup. Bishnoi and Chakravarthy took three wickets each, while Avesh Khan chipped in with two wickets, and Arshdeep Singh contributed one.
South Africa’s poor performance with the bat saw them bowled out for just 141 runs in 17.5 overs. India’s bowlers, led by the spinners, effectively shut down any hopes of a comeback. The result sees India claim a dominant 61-run victory, with South Africa left to reflect on a batting collapse that derailed their chase.
India will take confidence from their all-around performance, with both bat and ball clicking in this dominant win. South Africa, on the other hand, will need to regroup and focus on their batting if they are to bounce back in the next game.
India vs south Africa T20 Live Score Kingsmead Cricket Stadium
Avesh Khan to Maharaj, 1 run: Nearly a spectacular catch! Short ball outside off, and Maharaj pulls it toward deep square leg. Ramandeep charges in, dives forward, and almost pulls off an incredible grab. Great attempt!
Hardik to Coetzee, SIX!
Two in a row! Coetzee is on fire. First, a short ball outside off sits up nicely, and he smashes it over wide long on with pure power. Then, another short delivery outside off is perfectly in his arc, and he sends it soaring over deep square leg, clearing the ropes with ease.
SA are 129/8 after 16 overs.
Ravi Bishnoi to Coetzee, SIX runsThis one is hammered into the sightscreen! Coetzee clears the front leg and launches it straight back, leaving no chance for any fielder to make a play.
Ravi Bishnoi continues to dominate as he picks up his first wicket of the night, sending Kruger back to the pavilion. The ball was full and wide, tempting the drive, but Kruger couldn’t control the shot, and Hardik Pandya made a fine catch at backward point. South Africa are now six down in their chase.
SA at 93/7 after 13 overs.
Varun Chakravarthy strikes back immediately! After conceding a six, he dismisses Heinrich Klaasen, who tried to keep the momentum going but couldn't continue his heroics. Caught by Axar Patel, Klaasen departs for 25 off 22 balls, leaving his side under pressure.
Ravi Bishnoi delivered a fantastic over, conceding only a single run while bowling five consecutive dot balls. His tight line and effective variations kept the batsmen in check, adding pressure as the innings progressed.
SA at 79/3 after 11 overs.
Ravi Bishnoi to Heinrich Klaasen, and it’s four runs! Klaasen skillfully finds the gap and sends the ball racing to the boundary, adding crucial runs to South Africa's total.
SA at 76/3 after 9 overs.
Hardik Pandya delivers a steady over, but Heinrich Klaasen manages to strike a boundary, resulting in 9 runs from the over. South Africa keeps the scoreboard ticking.
SA are 58/3 after 7 overs.
Varun Chakravarthy strikes early as Rickelton miscues, and Tilak Varma takes the catch!
Ryan Rickelton departs for 21 off 11 balls, including 3 fours and a six, with a strike rate of 190.9.
Straight to Suryakumar Yadav, and Stubbs departs! Avesh bowls a back-of-a-length delivery outside off, which sticks a little on the surface. Stubbs attempts to drive over the India captain but ends up finding him instead. India claim their second wicket in the powerplay!
SA are 30/2 after 3.3 overs
Arshdeep Singh to Stubbs, SIX runs
A perfect wristy flick into the stands! Arshdeep bowls it on the pads, and Stubbs seizes the opportunity, expertly using his wrists to launch the ball over deep square leg for a maximum.
Rickelton gets South Africa moving with two well-timed fours off Avesh Khan, adding crucial runs to the scoreboard. The over yields 9 runs, taking South Africa to 19/1 after 2 overs.
Markram smashes Arshdeep for two consecutive fours but then edges behind and gets caught!
SA at 9/1 after the first over.
South Africa have a challenging target of 203 to chase, and the game promises to be a thrilling contest. With a strong batting lineup, the Proteas certainly have the firepower to achieve the target, especially on a pitch that has shown plenty of runs for those willing to play their shots. Players like Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, and David Miller will be pivotal in leading South Africa’s charge and setting a solid platform.
However, India will bank on early breakthroughs to put pressure on the South African lineup. With the pitch starting to show some signs of slowing down, spinners could play a crucial role in the middle overs. If the Indian bowlers can maintain discipline and exploit the conditions, they could make it difficult for South Africa. Ultimately, it will come down to whether South Africa can withstand the pressure and maintain a steady run rate to pull off a successful chase.
India got off to a strong start, but their innings faltered towards the end as they lost two quick wickets in the final over. Despite a promising beginning, the finishing overs have been disappointing, with the batting side failing to capitalize on the early momentum. The loss of these wickets in such a crucial phase has significantly dented India's progress, leaving them with much to do in the final stretch.
Ind at 202/8 after 20 overs
Coetzee to Rinku Singh, OUTRinku Singh gloved it and Klaasen takes the catch! A slower short ball outside leg, and Rinku attempts to help it fine, but this time gets it off the glove. Klaasen, diving forward to his right, makes an excellent catch, getting his gloves underneath the ball with ease. A well-executed take by Klaasen!
Coetzee to Rinku Singh, FOUR runs – A stunning square drive! Full delivery on off, Rinku steps down the track and effortlessly splits the field between deep cover and deep point.
Ind are 181/4 after 16.4 overs.
Peter to Samson, OUT! Samson’s brilliant knock comes to an end as he is caught on the fence. He made an exceptional 107 off 50 balls, with 7 fours and 10 sixes, finishing with a strike rate of 214.
Maharaj to Tilak Varma, OUT! A length ball outside off, Tilak goes for a big shot but loses his shape. The ball skies high, but not far enough, and Jansen takes the catch comfortably near the deep square leg fence.
Ind are 167/3 after 14.4 overs.
Sanju Samson joins the ranks of Gustav McKeon, Phil Salt, and Rilee Rossouw with a scintillating century. A back-of-a-length delivery on off stump was eased down to long-off, bringing up his ton in style. This knock, smooth and effortless, has been a joy to watch, showcasing his supreme batting skill.
In the 14th over, India scored 20 runs as both Samson and Tilak Varma continued to find their rhythm. Samson, in particular, was in excellent form, hitting boundaries with ease and providing India with a strong momentum shift. The pair's aggressive batting ensured that India maintained the pressure on South Africa.
In the 12th over, four balls have been bowled, with Samson already hitting two fours and a six. He is on different attack.
Ind are 140/2 after 12.4 overs
In the 11th over, Peter was under pressure as Tilak Varma started with a stylish FOUR, driving the ball between deep mid-wicket and deep backward square leg. He then took a single to deep mid-wicket on the next delivery. Samson finished the over in style, hitting a towering SIX that sent the ball into the crowd.
Simelane to Tilak Varma, SIX runsA massive hit! Tilak Varma sends the ball soaring high and long into the crowd!
Ind are 105/2 after 10.2 overs
Kruger to Suryakumar, OUT. Suryakumar holes out! Kruger's incredibly long over finally ends in delight as he claims the wicket.
Ind are 90/2 after 9 overs.
Kruger to Samson, FOUR runsStunning shot! A perfect change-up that lands outside off, right in the slot. Samson, deep in his crease, reaches out and smashes it past long off for a boundary!
Peter to Samson, SIX runsSamson sends it onto the grass banks! A slightly short delivery on middle and leg, and Samson quickly picks the length. He rocks back and smashes it over deep mid-wicket for a massive six!
Ind are 73/1 after 7.3 overs.
Another powerful strike from Samson! The ball is dug into the track, sitting up nicely for him. Samson creates room and launches it over mid-wicket for a massive six!
Jansen to Samson, SIX runs!
A cleaner strike this time, and it's into the crowd! Jansen pitches it a little fuller, and Samson plants his front foot, going through the line with a clean swing of the bat. The ball soars over the wide long-on fence for a maximum!
Jansen to Samson, FOUR runs!
Samson moves to 21 with this shot! A back-of-a-length delivery on leg stump. Samson anticipates the line and clears his front leg early, swiping at the ball to send it comfortably over mid-wicket for four!
Ind are 49/1 after 4.4 overs.
Coetzee to Abhishek, and he's gone! It's a mishit from Abhishek, and Markram takes a simple catch. Coetzee strikes early, sending Abhishek back to the pavilion.