India’s wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson made history by becoming the first player to score three T20I centuries in a calendar year, following his explosive innings against South Africa on Friday. Opening the batting, Samson was in outstanding form, finishing with 109 off just 56 balls, including 6 fours and 9 sixes, in the fourth T20I.
After starting the series with a brilliant century, Samson was dismissed for ducks in the next two matches, but he bounced back in style against the South African bowlers on Friday, leading India to a total of 283/1.
Samson’s precision was matched by Tilak Varma‘s powerful stroke play as India dominated the South African attack, posting a massive 283/1 in the fourth and final T20I. This became India’s highest T20I score overseas and the highest total ever by any team in South Africa.
Among the numerous records set, the standout achievement was the historic feat of two Indian batters—Samson and Varma—scoring centuries in the same T20I innings. Their 210-run partnership for the second wicket also became India’s highest in T20 internationals, coming off just 93 balls.
Samson (109* off 56) continued his dominance alongside Varma (120* off 47), with both in superb form. Samson has three T20I centuries in his last five innings, while Varma has scored back-to-back centuries.
Here are some fan’s reactions:
Centuries from Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma guide India towards a mammoth total 💪#SAvIND 📝: https://t.co/nCcnyy7c2U pic.twitter.com/BLjrRC9L6n
— ICC (@ICC) November 15, 2024
Sanju Samson becomes the first player to score 3⃣ T20Is century in a year 💯#INDvSA #SanjuSamson #TeamIndia #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/ex782fB30F
— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) November 15, 2024
Double the joy, double the celebration! 🤩⚡#TilakVarma #SanjuSamson #T20Is #SAvIND #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/I6Aptra8jc
— Mdizhar Khan (@MdizharK61608) November 15, 2024
#SanjuSamsonSanju Samson becomes the first player to score 3⃣ T20Is century in a year 💯
Tilak is the 2nd player back to back #tilakvarma #ChampionsTrophy2025 #SanjuSamson #TeamIndia #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/xgG2CrRbNv— Decent X (@decent_dk1234) November 15, 2024
Big Achivement 4th T20
283 Run
Bell Played Blue 🔵Indian army #SanjuSamson#tilakvarma#BCCI#INDvSA #Trending pic.twitter.com/Ve4JBsc1KE— RN VISHWAKARMA (@RNVISHW8193) November 15, 2024
Sensational centuries 💙🥳#SAvIND #SanjuSamson #TilakVarma
📸 BCCI pic.twitter.com/bag2xxDWzs— WhistlePodu Army ® – CSK Fan Club (@CSKFansOfficial) November 15, 2024
Sanju Samson…🔥#SAvsIND #INDvSA #SanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/a2h4RlyZlu
— thecricket18 (@thecricket_18_) November 15, 2024
With that six, Sanju Samson registered his third T20I half-century. The 30-year-old also boasts two centuries in the format.
Tilak Varma becomes the second Indian to score back-to-back T20I centuries
Tilak Varma became just the second Indian to score two consecutive T20I centuries during the fourth match against South Africa at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Friday, joining Sanju Samson in this elite group.
Tilak reached his century off 41 balls, following his maiden T20I hundred in the third match in Centurion. He finished unbeaten on 120 from 47 balls, striking 10 sixes and nine fours.
💯💯
Sanju Samson 🤝 Tilak Verma 🔥🔥
Two centuries in one match 🔥#indvssa #india #teamindia #cricket #INDvSA #SanjuSamson #tilakvarma #T20 pic.twitter.com/70nvlu0d9i— Selva ❁ (@sselvarnr) November 15, 2024
#TeamIndia #SAvIND#tilakvarma #SanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/Y1VXbUknBL
— Dilip Kumar Das (@DilipDa60259821) November 15, 2024
Tilak at 8 cr is literally a biggest steal in this IPL Mega Auction #tilakvarma #tilakverma #INDvSA #indvssat20 #CENTURY #Auction #MegaAuction pic.twitter.com/R8sguK0OYZ
— Sumit Kendre (@Sumit_K21) November 15, 2024
At the other end, Samson notched his third century in his last five innings, and the two formed a 210-run partnership for the second wicket. They also became the first pair from a full-member nation to score centuries in the same T20I innings.
India finished their innings at 283/1, marking their second-highest T20I total, following their 297/6 against Bangladesh.
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