Marco Jansen’s stunning performance nearly leads the Proteas to victory, but India secures an 11-run win in the third T20 International. Read about the match highlights and key moments.”
In a thrilling display of power hitting, Proteas allrounder Marco Jansen almost led his team to an improbable comeback, but they ultimately fell to an 11-run defeat against India in the third Wonder Cement T20 International at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Wednesday night. This victory gives India a 2-1 lead heading into the final T20I of the series at the Wanderers on Friday night, where the hosts will be eager to level the series.
The Proteas won the toss and chose to bowl first, with India setting a formidable target of 219/6 in their 20 overs, thanks to a superb century from Tilak Varma. The Proteas responded with 208/7 in their 20 overs, with Jansen delivering a breathtaking 54 off just 17 balls, including four fours and five sixes, bringing his side tantalizingly close to an incredible win.
“I am proud that we got that close with some special contributions from the middle to lower order there for us. So we will take a lot of positives from that,” said Proteas captain Aiden Markram. “We knew coming to Centurion that it is a game of really small margins with bat and ball and if you can win a few key moments here and there you can generally stand a better chance. So I am proud of the effort to get that close, and we can tidy up on a couple of things come (the final T20) Joburg.”
The Proteas’ chase began in unusual fashion, with a swarm of flying ants causing a brief delay after the first over. Ryan Rickelton (20) was dropped on seven in the second over but was unable to capitalize, eventually chopping the last ball of the third over onto his stumps with the score at 27/1. Reeza Hendricks (21) tried to build momentum, hitting three boundaries off Axar Patel in the fifth over, but was stumped by keeper Sanju Samson in the next over, leaving the Proteas at 47/2.
Captain Aiden Markram (29) and Tristan Stubbs (12) struggled to accelerate, with Stubbs being trapped LBW by Patel in the ninth over, reducing the Proteas to 68/3. Markram attempted to increase the scoring rate, hitting two sixes off Varun Chakravarthy in the 10th over, but was caught by Ramandeep Singh, leaving the score at 84/4 at the halfway stage. Heinrich Klaasen (41 off 22 balls) provided some fireworks in the 14th over, smashing three consecutive sixes and a four off Chakravarthy, but the Proteas continued to lose wickets at crucial moments.
David Miller (18) struggled to find his rhythm and was caught on the boundary by Tilak Varma off Hardik Pandya in the 16th over, with the score at 142/5. Jansen’s brilliant innings gave the Proteas hope, but it was not enough to secure victory.
In the first innings, Tilak Varma was the star for India, scoring an unbeaten 107 off 56 deliveries, including eight fours and seven sixes. He shared a strong 107-run second-wicket partnership with opener Abhishek Sharma (50 off 25 balls) to set up India’s innings. The Proteas had a perfect start with Jansen bowling Sanju Samson for a duck, but India quickly took control with Varma and Sharma leading the charge.
Despite the Proteas’ efforts, India managed to post a challenging total, with Varma continuing to dominate the bowlers. The Proteas will need to regroup and come up with a better strategy for the final T20I at the Wanderers.