Following India's thrilling 11-run victory over South Africa in the third T20I in Centurion, skipper Suryakumar Yadav shared insights into the team's performance. India now leads the four-match series 2-1. Suryakumar spoke about how the team played the aggressive brand of cricket they had planned, and he highlighted the contribution of young talent Tilak Varma in securing the victory.
Despite a poor personal outing in this match, scoring just one run from four balls, Suryakumar emphasized the importance of backing young players, even if they fail in a few innings. He praised Tilak Varma for his fearlessness and adaptability, which paid off during the match in Centurion.
"I'm really happy with how we played today. We focused on playing the brand of cricket we talked about in team meetings. The young players have been encouraged to play fearlessly, and Tilak is a great example of that," Suryakumar said. He added, "Tilak came to me earlier and asked if he could bat at number three. I knew he was capable, so I told him it was his day to shine. He did exactly what was needed, and I couldn't be happier for him and his family."
Match Recap: India vs. South Africa
South Africa won the toss and opted to field first. India's batting lineup saw a brilliant performance from Abhishek Sharma, who scored 50 runs off 25 balls, including three fours and five sixes. The star of the innings, however, was Tilak Varma, who delivered an unbeaten 107 runs from 56 balls, striking eight fours and seven sixes, and leading India to a strong total of 219/6. Unfortunately, the rest of the batting lineup failed to contribute significantly.
In response, South Africa's batting efforts were led by Heinrich Klaasen, who scored 41 runs off 22 balls, and Marco Jansen, who smashed 54 runs off just 17 balls, keeping South Africa in the hunt. The Proteas ended up falling short, thanks to the efforts of India's bowlers.
Arshdeep Singh was instrumental in India's bowling, delivering crucial breakthroughs with both the new ball and in the death overs. He took three wickets while conceding 37 runs in his four overs. Varun Chakaravarthy also played an important role, taking two wickets in his spell.
With the Proteas bowled out before they could reach the target, India secured a hard-fought victory by 11 runs, and the standout performance earned Tilak Varma the 'Player of the Match' title.
The win showcased the depth of India's young talent, with Tilak Varma emerging as a promising player for the future. Suryakumar Yadav's decision to trust Tilak in a crucial batting position worked wonders, demonstrating the value of faith in young players and their abilities.
