South Africa vs India Archives

Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma smash tons as India wrap up South Africa series win

JOHANNESBURG: Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma struck unbeaten centuries as India thumped South Africa by 135 runs in the fourth T20I at The Wanderers Stadium to clinch the series 3-1 on Friday.

After opting to bat first, India posted a massive total of 283 runs at the loss of only one wicket courtesy of Samson and Varma’s unbeaten 210-run stand for the second wicket.

Varma joined Samson after the fall of Abhishek Sharma, who played a quick cameo of 36 runs from 18 balls.

Samson and Varma turned the game on its head with their belligerent hitting during their record stand, which is India’s highest partnership for any wicket in T20I cricket.

Varma scored 120* off only 47 balls which featured 10 sixes and nine boundaries, while Samson struck 109 off 56 with the help of six fours and nine sixes.

In response, South Africa were bundled for a meagre 148 runs in 18.2 overs against a ruthless bowling attack of India.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Arshdeep Singh led the attack for India as he took three quick wickets to leave South Africa struggling at 10-4 at the end of the third over. He returned with figures of 3-20.

Meanwhile, Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel took two wickets each. The remaining three wickets were shared between Hardik Pandya, Ramandeep Singh and Ravi Bishnoi.

For South Africa, Tristan Stubbs played a gutsy 43-run knock from 29 balls, featuring three boundaries and two sixes.

David Miller scored 36 off 27, while Marco Jansen remained unbeaten on 29 off 12, laced with two fours and three sixes.

South Africa Playing XI: Ryan Rickelton, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Marco Jansen, Andile Simelane, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Lutho Sipamla

India Playing XI: Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakravarthy

READ: Champions Trophy: ICC seeks explanation from India over Pakistan tour refusal

Tilak Varma’s unbeaten ton powers India to victory over South Africa

CENTURION: Tilak Varma struck an unbeaten century to steer India to victory over South Africa in the third T20I here at SuperSport Park on Wednesday.

With this 11-run victory, India are now leading the four-match series 2-1.

South Africa, while chasing a mammoth 22-run target, managed 208-7 courtesy of disciplined bowling by India.

Marco Jansen played a blistering knock of 54 runs from 17 balls, which included five sixes and four boundaries.

However, he could not take his team across the line as he fell to Arshadeep Singh in the last over after a DRS overturned an LBW appeal.

Prior to him, Heinrich Klaasen struck 41 off 22 with the help of four sixes to keep South Africa in the game amidst falling wickets.

Arshdeep Singh starred for India with three wickets, while Varun Chakravarthy took two crucial wickets of Reeza Hendricks (21) and Aiden Markram (29).

India lost Sanju Samson on the second ball of the innings after being invited to bat, however, the visitors made a resounding comeback in the next few overs.

Abhishek Sharma was joined by Tilak Varma and together they smashed 107 runs in 52 balls, hitting South Africa bowlers to all parts of the ground.

Sharma struck 50 runs from 25 balls, which featured five sixes and three fours before getting out stumped off Keshav Maharaj.

India lost two more wickets in quick succession before Rinku Singh joined Varma with the scoreboard reading 132-4 in 12.5 overs.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Varma stitched a one-sided partnership of 58 runs with Singh, who scored a mere eight runs. Ramandeep Singh hit 15 off six after Andile Simelane castled Singh.

Meanwhile, Varma remained unbeaten at 107 from 56 balls with the help of eight boundaries and seven sixes to take the team’s total to 219-6 in their allocated 20 overs.

For South Africa, Maharaj and Simelane took two wickets each, while Marco Jansen bagged one.

India Playing XI: Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakravarthy

READ: Mohammad Amir calls to ‘keep India out’ of Champions Trophy 2025

Varun Chakravarthy’s five-fer in vain as South Africa edge past India in low-scoring thriller

GQEBERHA: Varun Chakravarthy’s five-wicket haul went in vain as Tristan Stubbs held on to his nerves to steer South Africa to a three-wicket victory against India in the second T20I here at St. George’s Park on Sunday.

Chasing a modest total of 129, South Africa achieved the target in 19 overs with Stubbs hitting a boundary off Arshdeep Singh to finish the match.

The hosts needed 13 runs off the final two overs, however, Stubbs struck four boundaries in the 19th over to win the match with an over to spare.

Stubbs scored an unbeaten 47 off 40 with the help of seven boundaries. He came out to bat in the sixth over with South Africa struggling at 33-2.

Varun Chakravarthy kept India in command as South Africa kept losing wickets at regular intervals and soon found themselves reeling at 86-7 in 15.4 overs.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

With 39 runs needed off 26 balls, Gerald Coetzee joined hands with Stubbs and they stitched a 42-run stand to win the game for South Africa.

For India, Chakravarthy led the bowling attack with brilliant bowling figures of 5-17, while Singh and Arshdeep Singh managed one wicket each.

Earlier, India managed 124-6 after being invited to bat by South Africa. Hardik Pandya top-scored with a cautious 39-run knock from 45 balls.

Meanwhile, Tilak Varma and Axar Patel played crucial knocks of 20 and 27 runs respectively.

South Africa’s Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Andile Simelane, Aiden Markram and Nqabayomzi Peter grabbed one wicket each.

The third and fourth matches of the series will be played in Centurion and Johannesburg on 13 and 15 November respectively.

India Playing XI: Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Varun Chakravarthy

WATCH: Michael Vaughan names Babar Azam among top-three Pakistan batters of all-time

Sanju Samson, spinners steer India to victory over South Africa

DURBAN: Spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi took three wickets each after Sanju Samson’s century to help India defeat South Africa in the first T20I of the four-match series here on Friday.

Chasing a target of 203, South Africa were bundled for 141 in 17.5 overs.

The hosts had an unwanted start to the run-chase as they lost skipper Aiden Markram (8) in the first over. They lost two more wickets inside the powerplay before Heinrich Klaasen (25) and David Miller (18) stitched a 42-run partnership to stabilize the innings.

However, Chakravarthy dismissed both batters in the same over to diminish all hopes of South Africa, leaving them struggling at 87-5 inside 12 overs.

Bishnoi also took two wickets in the next over to further increase South Africa’s troubles.

Gerald Coetzee played a cameo of 23 runs from 11 balls before India bundle South Africa for 141, with Chakravarthy and Bishnoi leading the bowling attack.

Avesh Khan also chipped in with two wickets, while Arshdeep Singh bagged one.

Earlier, South Africa opted to field first and drew first blood with Gerald Coetzee taking the wicket of Abhishek Sharma (7).

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

However, Sanju Samson knitted a quick partnership of 66 runs from 37 runs with the captain Suryakumar Yadav (21). Patrick Kruger got rid of Yadav, bringing out Tilak Varma to the crease.

Samson and Varma added 77 runs for the third wicket from only 34 balls to push the team’s total to 167 inside 15 overs. However, both batters fell in quick succession to leave India struggling.

Varma scored 33 runs off 18 balls before falling prey to Keshav Maharaj, while Samson was dismissed by Nqabayomzi Peter in the next over.

Samson top-scored with a blistering 107-run knock from 50 balls, laced with seven boundaries and ten sixes.

South Africa bowlers did not allow India to recover from this double blow as the visitors slipped from 167-2 to 202-8 with the eighth wicket falling off the last ball of the innings.

Coetzee led the bowling attack of South Africa with the figures of 3-37, while Maharaj, Peter, Kruger and Marco Jansen bagged one wicket each.

India Playing XI: Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Varun Chakravarthy

South Africa Playing XI: Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Patrick Kruger, Marco Jansen, Andile Simelane, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Nqabayomzi Peter

READ: India not to travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy: reports

South Africa suffer injury blow ahead of second Test against India

CENTURION: Right-arm pacer Gerald Coetzee has been ruled out of the second Test between hosts South Africa and India, due to pelvic inflammation.

In a statement released by Cricket South Africa (CSA), the cricketing body shared that Coetzee developed Pelvic inflammation which got “progressively worse while bowling” in the final innings of the first Test.

Gerald Coetzee was consequently sent for scans on Friday, which revealed the extent of the injury, the CSA revealed further.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s Test coach Conrad Shukri decided to release the pacer from the squad “as a precautionary measure,” but it remains uncertain whether he will be fit for the SA20, starting from January 10.

Notably, Coetzee could bowl only five overs in India’s second innings before leaving the field with the discomfort.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

His absence in the final innings, however, did not cost South Africa much as the hosts romped to a thumping victory by an innings and 32 runs.

He did not return to the field in India’s batting debacle and Tristan Stubbs took over fielding duties for the rest of the match.

Gerald Coetzee marked the second injury blow to South Africa in the ongoing series as their captain Temba Bavuma was earlier ruled out of the series remainder on Thursday.

As a result, Zubayr Hamza has been called up to South Africa’s squad as a batting replacement for Bavuma while Stubbs is also in the squad.

The CSA, thus far, have not named Gerald Coetzee’s replacement for the second Test since they have enough pacers in their arsenal in the form of Lungi Ngidi and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder.

However, it appears that South Africa may opt to go for Keshav Maharaj as the surface of Cape Town is presumably more spin-friendly.

READ: South Africa skittle India to claim innings win in first Test

South Africa skittle India to claim innings win in first Test

Fast bowler Nandre Burger took 4-33 as South Africa bowled out India for just 131 in their second innings to win the 1st Test by an innings and 32 runs in Centurion on Thursday.

Virat Kohli was the only batsman to test the home attack on the third day, top-scoring with 76 before being the last man out.

South Africa had earlier taken a first innings lead of 163 as Dean Elgar (185) and Marco Jansen (84 not out) extended their first innings to 408.

India were 62 for three at tea, still 101 runs in arrears, with Indian captain Rohit Sharma (0), fellow opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (5) and Shubman Gill (26) all back in the pavilion.

The collapse began in earnest after the resumption as Burger, who had already removed Jaiswal with a sharp lifter, had first-innings centurion KL Rahul, Ravi Ashwin and Mohammed Siraj all caught behind the wicket.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Jansen showed his all-round value to the team by taking 3-36.

Kagiso Rabada, who took five wickets in the first innings, picked up 2-32 and completed the victory by taking a sensational catch to remove Kohli whose 76 included 12 fours and a six.

The India innings lasted just 34.1 overs and leaves them looking for answers ahead of the second Test in Cape Town next week.

The loss means India will have to wait a while longer if they are to win a Test series in South Africa.

They are the only regular Test-playing country where India have yet to win a series.

READ: India may miss Davis Cup match hosted by rival Pakistan

Kagiso Rabada takes five wickets but Rahul keeps Indian hopes alive

South Africa’s fast bowler Kagiso Rabada took five wickets but a fighting innings by KL Rahul kept India’s hopes alive on the first day of the first Test at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Tuesday.

India were 208/8 when bad light followed by rain brought an early close.

Rabada took five for 44 – his 14th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.

Rahul, who made a century to set up an Indian win on the same ground two seasons ago, was unbeaten on 70.

Kagiso Rabada was outstanding for the hosts after they sent India in to bat on a pitch which had been under cover because of rain for 40 hours leading up to the morning of the match.

However, South Africa failed to take full advantage of helpful conditions. Left-arm fast bowler Nandre Burger was impressive in his first spell in Test cricket, taking two early wickets, but neither Marco Jansen nor Gerald Coetzee could find consistent control.

Rabada and Burger reduced India to 24 for three and India could have been in deeper trouble if South Africa had not missed chances from Virat Kohli (38) and Shreyas Iyer (31) in the early stages of a partnership which yielded 68 runs for the fourth wicket.

Iyer was on four when he was dropped by Jansen at backward point off Rabada and Kohli was on the same score when he was put down by Tony de Zorzi at midwicket off Burger in the next over.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Kagiso Rabada dismissed both set batsmen as well as Ravichandran Ashwin in a three-wicket spell immediately after lunch.

Iyer was bowled by a ball which cut back off the pitch and Kohli was caught behind off a superb delivery which swung away late before Ashwin was caught at third slip off a steeply-lifting delivery.

Rahul and Shardul Thakur (24) put on 43 for the seventh wicket but Thakur twice needed treatment on the field after being hit on the helmet by Coetzee and his right arm when Rabada returned for his third spell.

Thakur played a loose drive to be caught at mid-off by stand-in captain Dean Elgar immediately after being treated for his second injury.

Rahul batted with composure and added 41 of the 44 runs scored for the loss of Jasprit Bumrah’s wicket after Thakur’s dismissal. When play was halted Rahul had faced 105 balls and hit ten fours and two sixes.

Elgar, who has announced he will be retiring from international cricket after the second Test in Cape Town next week, took charge after Temba Bavuma left the field with a strained left hamstring injury before lunch.

A bulletin from the South African dressing room stated that there would be “daily medical evaluations to determine his participation in the match”.

Bavuma’s decision to bowl first was not surprising given the conditions after prolonged rain in the days leading up to the match – but it is a ground on which batting has tended to become more difficult later in matches because of uneven bounce.

READ: Shaheen Afridi troubles Marnus Labuschagne with ruthless spell

Kagiso Rabada achieves major landmark in Boxing Day Test against India

CENTURION: South Africa’s ace pacer Kagiso Rabada on Tuesday, became the seventh bowler from his country to take 500 wickets in international cricket.

Kagiso Rabada derailed India’s strong batting unit on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test at SuperSport Park here with his 14th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.

He dismissed Indian captain Rohit Sharma, star batter Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ravichandran Ashwin and Shardul Thakur.

With his sensational five-fer against India, Kagiso Rabada also completed 500 wickets in international cricket.

The right-arm pacer now has 285 wickets in Tests, 157 wickets in ODIs and 58 in T20Is with a combined bowling average of 24.79.

He is only the seventh South African bowler to achieve this feat, trailing former left-arm pacer Morne Morkel, who picked 535 wickets in his decorated career.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Legendary all-rounder Shaun Pollock leads the list with 823 wickets, followed by Dale Steyn (697), Makhaya Ntini (661), Allan Donald (602) and Jacques Kallis (572).

Moreover, Rabada also became the most successful bowler against Rohit Sharma, dismissing the right-handed opening batter the most number of times in international cricket.

Rabada has now dismissed Rohit 13 times thus far and went past New Zealand’s experienced pacer Tim Southee, who had dismissed the Indian captain 12 times.

To dismiss Sharma for the 13th time, Rabada dug in short and towards the body, luring the batter to attempt a pull short. Sharma, however, ended up getting caught at fine leg by Nandre Burger.

Since making his international debut for South Africa in 2014, Kagiso Rabada soon emerged as the pivotal part of their strong bowling attack.

READ: Imad Wasim sets major record in T20 Cricket

Dean Elgar set to retire from international career after India series

Former South Africa Test captain Dean Elgar announced on Friday that he will retire from international cricket after the Test series against India, which is scheduled to start next week.

The 36-year-old, who has hit more than 5,000 Test runs including 13 centuries, will play his last Test at the Newlands ground in Cape Town starting January 3.

“As they say, ‘all good things come to an end’, and the Indian home series will be my last, as I have made the decision to retire from our beautiful game,” Elgar declared.

“The Cape Town Test will be my last. My favourite stadium in the world. A place I scored my first Test run against New Zealand and hopefully my last too.”

Media reports said his decision came after Dean Elgar was told that he was not part of coach Shukri Conrad’s long-term plans.

Elgar made his debut against Australia 12 years ago, failing to score in each innings.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Since then he has become known as a stubborn batter, his 5,146 runs making him South Africa’s eighth-highest run-scorer.

He scored his career-best score of 199 against Bangladesh in 2017.

Dean Elgar was the captain of South Africa from May 2021 until January this year, leading South Africa to third place in last year’s World Test Championship with a notable 2-1 home series win over India.

Cricket South Africa chief executive Pholetsi Moseki said Elgar has “represented his country with honour”.

“His grittiness and determination are two qualities that really stood out; and these are attributes that all South Africans can relate to.”

Director of cricket Enoch Nkwe added that in the current age of power-hitting, “he is a real old-school cricketer that can dig in, absorb and fight. I have no doubt the game will dearly miss him.

“He has always given everything for his country and never showed any fear, no matter the opposition.”

READ: ‘Electra Stumps’ introduced in Men’s BBL for the first time

Tryon powers South Africa Women to beat India in Tri-series final

EAST LONDON: South African bowlers put on a collective effort to keep India down to 109/4 before Chloe Tyron’s 57 powered South Africa women to a dominating five-wicket victory in the Tri-series final on Thursday.

After opting to bat first, the Indian batting lineup falter and could only accumulate 109/4 in their quota of 20 overs despite Harleen Deol’s 46.

The touring after getting off to a dismal start – losing two wickets for just 21 runs – could not gather themselves to put on a decent total on the scoreboard as the side kept losing wickets at regular intervals.

Deol, however, remained the lone hope for the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side as she top-scored with 46 off 56 deliveries and smashed four boundaries.

The right-handed batter did not receive any support from the other end, thus, India managed a meagre 109/4.

Nonkululeko Mlaba led the bowling attack for South Africa with 2/16 while Ayabonga Khaka and Sune Luus struck out a batter each.

Set to chase 110, South Africa comfortably sailed through with two overs to spare at the back of a quickfire 57-run knock by Tryon.

Coming out to bat when her side was struggling at 21/3 in the run chase, Tryon turned things around with her belligerent hitting before she received awaited support from Nadine de Klerk, who played a sensible knock of 17 not out.

Tryon top-scored for South Africa with 57 off just 32 deliveries; smashing four boundaries and two sixes.

Sneh Rana took two wickets for India, while Deepti Sharma, Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Renuka Singh could pick up a wicket apiece.

READ: Sunrisers Eastern Cape sign Temba Bavuma for SA20 remainder