Cricket

India and South Africa will face off in the fourth and final T20I match in Johannesburg on Friday, November 15, with the series win on the line. India currently holds a 2-1 lead after winning the third game by a narrow margin.In the opening match, India dominated with a 61-run victory, thanks to Sanju Samson's brilliant century (107 off 50 balls). However, South Africa bounced back in the second game, winning by 3 wickets despite Varun Chakaravarthy's five-wicket haul.In the third game, Tilak Varma shone with an unbeaten 107 as India edged past South Africa by 11 runs. The Proteas fought hard in the chase of 220 but fell short at 208 for 7.India will be aiming to seal the series win in the fourth T20I, while South Africa will be desperate to level the series. The match will be played at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, starting at 08:30 PM IST.The match will be telecast live on Sports18 and Colors Cineplex TV channels in India. It will also be streamed live on Jio Cinema app and website.

In a thrilling moment of deja vu, South African star batter David Miller's dismissal by Hardik Pandya during the 3rd T20I between India and South Africa on Wednesday evoked memories of the 2024 T20 World Cup final.Miller, attempting to pull a short delivery from Pandya in the 16th over, was caught spectacularly by Axar Patel at the boundary. This catch mirrored the iconic moment in the World Cup final where Miller was dismissed by Suryakumar Yadav in a similar fashion, sealing India's victory by seven runs.Pandya's bowling and fielding unit once again proved their mettle, with Axar's athleticism making up for an earlier dropped catch. His effort not only dismissed Miller but also curbed South Africa's scoring momentum.Pandya's impact as a game-changer shone through yet again as India won by a narrow margin of 11 runs, successfully defending their 219-run total. This win strengthened India's momentum on tour, giving them a 2-1 lead in the four-match series.The Men in Blue will take on the Proteas for the fourth and final T20I on Friday at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, aiming to seal the series victory.

In a remarkable display of power-hitting, Tilak Varma etched his name in the history books by becoming the youngest batter to score a T20I century against a top-10 team. The 22-year-old left-hander smashed an unbeaten 107 off just 56 balls in the third T20I against South Africa in Centurion, guiding India to a challenging total of 219/6.Varma's innings was a masterclass in timing and placement, with boundaries flowing effortlessly from his bat. He struck eight fours and seven sixes, showcasing his versatility across all areas of the ground. His century came off just 51 balls, highlighting his exceptional temperament and shot-making ability.Promoted to number three in the batting order, Varma displayed maturity beyond his years. He handled the high-pressure situation with aplomb, setting the tone for India's innings with his aggressive and composed knock. His century was a significant milestone in his career, cementing his place as one of India's most promising T20I batters.Varma's knock played a pivotal role in setting a challenging total for South Africa, pushing the team to fight for the win. His innings was a testament to his talent and potential, and it will undoubtedly boost his confidence going forward.With 496 runs in 19 T20Is at an average of 41.33, Varma has already established himself as a reliable performer for India. His ability to clear the boundaries with ease, coupled with his maturity in handling pressure situations, makes him a valuable asset to the team.

India and South Africa will face off in the third T20I of their four-match series on Sunday, November 13, with both teams eyeing a series lead. The match will be played at SuperSport Park in Centurion, South Africa, and will begin at 08:30 PM IST.India took an early lead in the series with a commanding 61-run victory in the first T20I. Sanju Samson was the star of the show, smashing a sensational century (107 off 50 balls) to power India to a massive total of 211/4. However, the second game saw a contrasting result as South Africa registered a narrow 3-wicket win.Despite a disappointing batting performance from India, which saw them post a below-par total of 124/6, leg-spinner Varun Chakaravarthy's five-wicket haul (5/17) kept them in the game. However, Tristan Stubbs and Gerald Coetzee guided South Africa to victory in a tense chase.The third T20I promises to be another thrilling encounter. India will be keen to bounce back from their defeat and take a commanding lead in the series, while South Africa will be determined to level the series and gain momentum.

India and South Africa Clash in Crucial Third T20IWith the series tied at 1-1, the third T20I between India and South Africa in Centurion on Wednesday has become a pivotal encounter. The winner of this match will gain a significant advantage in the five-match series.India began the series with a dominant 61-run victory in Durban, thanks to a brilliant century from Sanju Samson. However, the Proteas bounced back in the second T20I in Gqeberha, securing a narrow three-wicket win.Samson, who celebrated his 30th birthday on November 11, was the center of attention during the team's journey from Gqeberha to Centurion. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a heartwarming video on social media, capturing the Indian cricketers' birthday wishes for Samson on the bus and his cake-cutting celebration at the team hotel.The Indian team is determined to regain the momentum in the third T20I. They will be looking to their star players, including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and KL Rahul, to deliver match-winning performances. South Africa, on the other hand, will be eager to continue their winning streak and take a 2-1 lead in the series.The fourth and final T20I of the series will be played at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Friday. The outcome of the third T20I will have a significant impact on the overall result of the series.

Indian National Anthem Interrupted Twice During T20I Opener Against South AfricaThe Indian national anthem was abruptly interrupted twice during the first T20I match between India and South Africa at Kingsmead in Durban, leaving players and fans alike bewildered. The technical glitch occurred just moments before the start of the game, cutting off the anthem mid-verse.The interruption left some players, including Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma, visibly confused. While others, such as captain Suryakumar Yadav and Axar Patel, responded with smiles amidst the tension, fans watching off the field expressed frustration at the disruption.The incident sparked outrage on social media, with many finding the interruption disrespectful and questioning the organization behind the anthem's execution. Despite the anthem's eventual completion, the incident left a lasting impression, momentarily overshadowing the game's opening.With the anthem hiccup behind them, both teams were eager to shift focus back to cricket. South Africa's captain, Aiden Markram, won the toss and opted to bowl, hoping to capitalize on any moisture in the pitch due to recent rains."We are going to bowl first. Looks a pretty good wicket. There has been some rain around this week and if there's moisture we want to make use of it. Fantastic opportunity for guys to make their debuts at home and it is a great time for them to enjoy the game. We are quite a competitive team and the discussions have been how can we get positive results," said Markram after winning the toss.On the Indian side, skipper Suryakumar Yadav shared that Team India was looking forward to setting a formidable total by batting first, especially on a surface that appeared more favourable than practice pitches."We were looking to bat first. The wicket looks nice, better than the practice wicket and we will try to put runs on the board. The guys in the dressing room have made my job easier, the fearless approach they play with for their respective franchises and have brought the same approach to the team," remarked the Indian skipper.

India vs South Africa T20I Series: A Clash of TitansIndia and South Africa are set to face off in a highly anticipated T20I series, with the first match scheduled for Friday, November 8, at the Kingsmead Stadium in Durban. The two cricketing giants have a rich history of intense rivalry, and this series promises to be no different.Head-to-Head RecordIn the 20-over format, India and South Africa have met 27 times, with India holding a slight edge with 15 wins to South Africa's 11. This series will provide an opportunity for both teams to add to their respective tallies.India's Recent FormIndia is entering the series on the back of a dominant 3-0 series victory over Bangladesh in October. The team has been in impressive form, with key players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Suryakumar Yadav in top shape.South Africa's StrugglesSouth Africa, on the other hand, has struggled to find consistency since their defeat in the T20 World Cup 2024 final. They suffered a 3-0 loss to the West Indies and drew 1-1 against Ireland in subsequent series.Young Guns in FocusThe series will also be a platform for young players to showcase their talent. India will be led by the dynamic Suryakumar Yadav, while South Africa will be captained by the promising Aiden Markram. Both teams have a number of exciting young players who could make a significant impact.Match ScheduleThe India vs South Africa T20I series will consist of four matches, with the remaining fixtures scheduled as follows:* 2nd T20I: November 10, St George's Park, Gqeberha* 3rd T20I: November 13, SuperSport Park, Centurion* 4th T20I: November 15, Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

India and South Africa are set to reignite their rivalry in a highly anticipated four-match T20 series, commencing on Friday in Durban. The series holds immense significance as a rematch of the thrilling T20 World Cup final, where India emerged victorious to claim their second title.Heading into the series, India boasts a slight edge in the head-to-head record, having won 15 out of 27 T20I encounters against South Africa. Since the World Cup final, both teams have experienced contrasting fortunes in the shortest format.India has been on a winning streak, triumphing in three consecutive T20I series. They defeated Zimbabwe 4-1, Sri Lanka 3-0, and Bangladesh 3-0, showcasing their dominance in the format. In contrast, South Africa has struggled since their narrow loss to India in the World Cup final. They were whitewashed 3-0 by the West Indies and drew 1-1 against Ireland, losing four of their five T20I matches since the tournament.As the two sides prepare to clash, South Africa will be eager to turn their fortunes around at home, while India, high on confidence, will aim to continue their winning momentum. The first T20I in Durban promises to be an exciting contest, as the World Champions look to extend their dominance, and South Africa seeks redemption.

Suryakumar Yadav Eyes Milestone as India Gear Up for South Africa T20I SeriesIndia's swashbuckling batter Suryakumar Yadav is poised to etch his name in the record books as he prepares to lead the team in a four-match Twenty20 International series against South Africa. Yadav, who has been in scintillating form, is on the cusp of surpassing Rohit Sharma as the highest-scoring Indian batter against the Proteas in T20Is.Currently ranked third among Indian batters with 346 runs in seven T20Is against South Africa, Yadav needs just 84 more runs to eclipse Sharma's tally of 429 runs. The Mumbai Indians star has been a consistent performer against the Proteas, averaging an impressive 57.66.Sharma, who led India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup, has amassed 429 runs in 18 T20I matches against South Africa, averaging 26.81. Virat Kohli, India's run machine, is second on the list with 394 runs in 14 matches, averaging 39.40.The upcoming series will provide Yadav with an ideal opportunity to cement his status as one of India's most prolific T20I batters. The first T20I will be played on November 8 at Kingsmead in Durban, followed by the second on November 10 in Gqeberha, the third on November 13 in Centurion, and the fourth and final T20I on November 15 in Johannesburg.