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Suryakumar Yadav secured his third consecutive series win as the full-time captain of India’s T20I side on Friday, November 15, at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. The Men in Blue put on a spectacular performance, defeating South Africa by a staggering 135 runs in the fourth and final T20I, clinching the series 3-1.
India won the first, third, and fourth matches in the series, riding on stellar performances from players like Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, and Varun Chakaravarthy. After Friday’s commanding victory, Suryakumar acknowledged the difficulty of winning on South African soil and expressed his joy at the series triumph.
Suryakumar Reflects on the Memorable Series Win
In his post-match presentation, Suryakumar Yadav was visibly elated, saying:
“It is very challenging when we tour South Africa; to come and win here is special. This is a win that will stay with me forever. Though we were up 2-1 in the series, today we focused on following good habits and not worrying about the result. It happened naturally.”
Praise for the Support Staff
When asked about the role of the VVS Laxman-led support staff, Suryakumar was full of appreciation. He mentioned how the team management gave the players the freedom to express themselves on the field.
“They (support staff) were sitting and enjoying the show since the first day. They spoke to the boys and said, ‘Whatever you want to do, go ahead; we will sit and enjoy.’ Even today, they said if you want to bat first and put runs on the board, do it,” Suryakumar added.
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India’s Record-Breaking Batting Display
Opting to bat first in the final match, India amassed a mammoth total of 283/1 in their 20 overs. It was an explosive batting display from Sanju Samson (109*) and Tilak Varma (120*), both smashing brilliant centuries. This total put immense pressure on the hosts, and South Africa could only muster 148 runs in reply. Arshdeep Singh was the star with the ball, picking up 3/20 to seal the comprehensive win for India.
A Remarkable Year for India in T20Is
2024 has been a year to remember for India in the T20I format. They ended the year with a phenomenal 24 wins from 26 matches. Under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, India won the T20 World Cup in June, marking a historic achievement. Following Suryakumar’s appointment as the T20I captain, the team lost just one out of 10 matches, further solidifying their dominance in the shortest format of the game.
India’s Key Performers in the Series
- Sanju Samson: Scored a scintillating 109* in the final match.
- Tilak Varma: Smashed an unbeaten 120*, anchoring the innings with Samson.
- Arshdeep Singh: Bowled a brilliant spell of 3/20 to decimate South Africa’s batting lineup.
As the Men in Blue wrap up their T20I schedule for the year, they look ahead with confidence to the upcoming series and tournaments. This triumph in South Africa not only boosts team morale but also sets a high standard for the future.
