Ind triumph over SA in T20 series

The win also hands the Proteas their heaviest-ever defeat

Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma were the stars as India sealed a dominant 135-run victory over South Africa at The Wanderers Stadium on Friday, claiming the four-match T20I series 3-1. The win also handed South Africa their heaviest-ever defeat in the format, leaving the hosts reeling.

Electing to bat first, the World Cup-winning Indian team posted a mammoth total of 283/1 in their 20 overs, with Samson and Varma leading the charge. The duo shared a record-breaking second-wicket partnership of 210 runs off just 85 balls, stunning the South African bowlers.

Samson, in particular, was in sublime form, scoring an unbeaten 109 from 56 balls, marking his third T20I century in just five innings. This came after two ducks in his previous matches, proving his ability to bounce back in style. Varma, not to be outdone, followed up his previous match's brilliance with a sensational 120 not out from 47 balls, including 10 towering sixes.

The record-breaking partnership took the game away from South Africa early, with India's aggressive approach leaving the hosts helpless in the field. Several dropped catches compounded South Africa's woes, as they conceded a record-high total in a T20I innings.

India's captain, Suryakumar Yadav, was full of praise for his team's performance. "It is difficult for me to choose which is the best between the knocks, both of them were brilliant," he said after the match. "We knew there would be something in this wicket when the lights came on and we stuck to our lines with the ball. It is always challenging to win in South Africa, so this is a special day that will stay with me forever."

The South African reply was never in the game, as the Indian bowlers ripped through the hosts' top order. Arshdeep Singh (3-20) and Hardik Pandya (1-8) reduced South Africa to a disastrous 10-4, and despite a brief resistance from Tristan Stubbs, who top-scored with 43 off 29 balls, the home side was bowled out for just 148. This result marked South Africa's heaviest T20I defeat, surpassing their previous record of an 111-run loss to Australia last year.