India cemented their cricketing supremacy with a resounding 3-1 series victory against South Africa in the Twenty20 internationals, concluding with a decisive 30-run triumph in Friday’s final match. The hosts demonstrated formidable batting prowess by posting an imposing 231-5, setting the stage for their eighth consecutive T20 series win since December 2023.
The innings was propelled by exceptional performances from Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya, both achieving their second half-centuries of the series. Their explosive partnership yielded 105 runs in just 7.2 overs, with Pandya’s blistering 63 off 25 deliveries featuring five sixes, while Varma contributed a solid 73 from 42 balls before an unfortunate run-out.
Opening batsmen Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma established a powerful foundation with a rapid 97-run partnership within nine overs. Samson, returning to T20 after October absence, smashed 63 runs while unexpectedly striking umpire Rohan Pandit with a drive to the shin during his aggressive batting display.
South Africa’s response began promisingly with Quinton de Kock battling through a thumb injury sustained on the first delivery to score 65 off 35 balls. Despite reaching 118-1 at the halfway mark and matching India’s scoring rate initially, their campaign unraveled following Jasprit Bumrah’s pivotal intervention. The pace spearhead’s exceptional figures of 2-17 from four overs included the crucial dismissal of de Kock via a caught-and-bowled yorker.
Leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy overcame early punishment—conceding 23 runs in a single over to de Kock and Dewald Brevis—to emerge as the leading wicket-taker with 4-53. South Africa’s collapse from 120-1 to 201-8 underscored India’s bowling dominance in the critical middle overs.
The sole disappointment for India remained captain Suryakumar Yadav’s continued batting struggles, managing only 5 runs to maintain his modest 2025 T20 average of 14.20. India now prepares to host New Zealand in January for their final T20 series before co-hosting the Men’s T20 World Cup with Sri Lanka in February.