Johannesburg, Nov 14: Riding on a fabulous unbeaten maiden hundred by Tilak Varma India amassed 219 for six against South Africa in the third T20I here on Wednesday.The four-match series is now level at 1-1.
Abhishek (50, 25b, 3×4, 5×6) and Tilak (107 not out, 56b, 8×4, 7×6) led Indiaās press forward with the bat.
Tilak completed his first hundred in T20Is off just 51 balls.
Tilak and Sharma added 107 runs for the second wicket off just 8.2 overs as India recovered from the early departure of Sanju Samson.
Suryakumar Yadav, said, Very happy. What we spoke about in the team meeting, we played the brand of cricket we discussed. That’s what we have been telling them to do. They do that for the franchise, they do that in the nets. Very happy with the way things are going. Aggression and intent is always not about talking. They have made my job easier when I see them bat like that. I feel we are in the right direction. First time we were 6-7 minutes ahead on the field. He (Tilak) came to my room at Gqeberha and said give me a chance at No. 3, I want to do well and I said go out there and express yourself. He asked for it and he delivered. Very happy for him and his family.
Tilak Varma , Player of the Match, said, I am okay. It was a difficult chance but I am happy we won the game. I cannot put it in words. It was my dream to play for the country and the hundred came at the right time when the team needed it. All credit to Mr. Suryakumar Yadav, our captain. He gave me the opportunity to bat at 3 and told me to express myself. Thanks to him again (turns back at SKY and smiles). I just backed my basics. Pitch was two paced to start with and it wasn’t easy for the new batters coming in when Abhishek got out. I was ready to bat long and was waiting for one partnership.
Aiden Markram, said,Ā Proud of the effort to get that close. Good to see the contributions from the lower order. It was just down to executing what we discussed. This is a ground where you can chase 220. I feel it is almost an over by over thing. If you win those overs you have a great chance. We will see areas to improve for the next game.