Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson shatter records in India’s historic T20I win in Johannesburg

India delivered a masterclass in T20 cricket with a record-breaking 134-run win against South Africa in the 4th T20I at Johannesburg's Wanderers Stadium. The victory sealed a 3-1 series win, highlighted by stunning performances from Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson, who rewrote the history books with their explosive batting.

Batting first, India amassed a monumental 283/1, the fifth-highest total in men’s T20Is, powered by centuries from Samson and Varma. The duo became only the third pair to score centuries in the same T20I innings, following similar feats by players from the Czech Republic and Japan in recent years. Their unbeaten 210-run partnership for the second wicket marked India’s first-ever double-century stand in T20Is, leaving the South African bowlers in tatters.

Sanju Samson’s composed aggression complemented Tilak Varma’s raw power as the two spared no corner of the ground, smashing boundaries and sixes at will. Abhishek Sharma also contributed a rapid-fire 36 to push India’s total beyond South Africa’s reach. The innings featured 23 sixes, the joint third-highest in a men’s T20I innings, with Zimbabwe holding the record at 27 sixes in a match last month.

South Africa crumbled under the pressure of chasing 284, folding for 149 in just 17 overs. Indian bowlers, led by speedster Arshdeep Singh and spinner Ravi Bishnoi, dismantled the South African batting lineup, ensuring a one-sided affair.

The match also saw India break the record for the highest T20 total by any team in South Africa, surpassing the previous record of 271/3 set by the Titans in 2022. India’s performance emphasized their dominance in the format, with this being their third 250-plus total in men’s T20Is, the most by any team in history.

Under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, India’s mix of explosive batting and disciplined bowling has set a benchmark in the shortest format. With this emphatic series win, India has further cemented its reputation as a T20 powerhouse.