Marco Jansen heroics not enough as Proteas go down to India in third T20

By SABC Sport
13th November 2024

Tilak Varma struck a maiden international century to help India to a 11-run victory against the Proteas in the third T20 at Centurion as the tourists took a 2-1 lead in the four-match series.

Varma, batting at number three in his 19th T20I, struck an unbeaten 107 off just 56 balls as the visitors posted a formidable total of 219-6 after being put into bat at the toss.

The left-handed batter was well-supported by opener Abhishek Sharma who hit exactly 50 from 25 deliveries as the pair put on a stand of 107 for the second wicket after the early loss of Sanju Samson for a duck.

The partnership was the cornerstone of India's total and couple of cameos at the back-end from Hardik Pandya (18) and debutant Ramandeep Singh (15) cemented their dominant position.

The home team's bowlers took some tap but Marco Jansen did well to return figures 1-28 from his four overs while Andile Simelane and spinner Keshav Maharaj took two wickets apiece.

The Proteas batters needed to fire and the top three all got starts but Ryan Rickelton (20), Reeza Hendricks (21) and skipper Aiden Markram (29) failed to kick on.

The hosts were well behind the required-rate heading into the second half of the innings but Heinrich Klaasen struck some crisp blows in his 41 off 22 balls to keep slim hopes alive.

Jansen then gave the home supporters a huge fillip when he smashed 54 off just 17 deliveries but the right-handed batter was out lbw in the final over to dose any hopes of a Proteas victory.

Left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh was the pick of of the India bowlers with figures of 3-37 and picked up the vital scalp of Jansen in the last over of the match.

The teams now move up the highway to the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Friday with Proteas needing to win the final encounter to square the four-match series.