India’s T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, celebrated his team’s resounding 3-1 series victory over South Africa as a defining moment in his captaincy journey. Following India’s dominant 135-run win in the fourth T20I at Johannesburg on November 15, Suryakumar hailed the team’s collective effort, especially their adherence to pre-planned strategies laid out by the coaching staff.
At the post-match presentation, Suryakumar shared his pride in leading a young squad that rose to the occasion. The win in Johannesburg, punctuated by fiery batting performances and clinical bowling, was a testament to the team’s depth and resilience. The India skipper has often emphasised how his teammates consistently eased the pressures of leadership with their brilliance on the field.
SA vs IND, 4th T20I:Highlights
“It is very challenging when we tour South Africa, to come and win here. This is a special win and will stay with me forever. [on the coaching and support staff] They were sitting and enjoying the show since the first day. They spoke to the boys and said whatever you want, you do, we will sit and enjoy. Even today, they said if you want to bat first and put runs on the board, do it,” Suryakumar said.
“Though we were up 2-1 in the series, today we wanted to follow good habits and not worry about the result. It happened naturally,” he added.
A Record-Breaking Finale
India ended their T20I series in style, posting a commanding 283 in their final match. Sanju Samson and Tilak Verma stole the spotlight with an extraordinary 210-run partnership, taking India to their highest-ever T20I total in South Africa. Samson, redeeming himself after two consecutive ducks, smashed a scintillating century, while Tilak continued his stellar form with a second consecutive hundred, cementing his role as India’s long-term No. 3 option.
India’s bowlers complemented the batting fireworks with a ruthless performance. Arshdeep Singh’s fiery opening spell dismantled South Africa’s top order, reducing them to 10 for 4 within three overs. His three-wicket haul was instrumental in quashing the Proteas’ hopes of a record chase. Hardik Pandya delivered an effective spell with the new ball, while Varun Chakravarthy chipped in with two crucial dismissals, despite conceding runs at times.
A Stellar Year in T20Is
The victory in Johannesburg capped a remarkable year for India in T20 internationals. Under Suryakumar Yadav’s aggressive captaincy, the team carried forward the momentum set by Rohit Sharma. India notched 24 wins in 26 matches, showcasing their dominance in the shortest format.
This was India’s fourth T20I series win in South Africa, a feat that highlights their consistency on foreign soil. For Suryakumar, the triumph signified more than numbers.
