NEW DELHI: Marco Jansen‘s blistering fifty, the fastest ever against India in T20Is, almost turned the tide in South Africa’s favor, but India held on to clinch a nerve-wracking 11-run victory in the third T20I in Centurion.
Jansen’s late assault, which saw him reach fifty off just 16 balls, gave India a serious scare in the final moments of the match, but Arshdeep Singh’s calm death bowling secured the win, giving India an unbeatable 2-1 lead in the four-match series.
Chasing India’s imposing total of 219/6, South Africa appeared to be out of the contest at 169/6 after 18 overs. But Jansen had other plans. Walking in at No. 7, the tall all-rounder unleashed a furious attack on India’s bowlers, hammering Hardik Pandya for 26 runs in the penultimate over, which included two sixes and three fours. His blitzkrieg brought South Africa within touching distance, needing 25 runs off the final over to pull off a miraculous win.
Fastest T20I 50s vs India (balls faced)
- 16 – Marco Jansen, Centurion 2024
- 19 – Cameron Green, Hyderabad 2022
- 20 – Johnson Charles, Lauderhill 2016
- 20 – Dasun Shanaka, Pune 2023
Jansen’s onslaught continued into the last over, where he smashed a six off Arshdeep Singh’s second ball to reach his record-breaking fifty in just 16 deliveries, the fastest by any batter against India in T20I history. However, Arshdeep responded immediately, dismissing Jansen on the very next delivery to extinguish South Africa’s hopes of a dramatic win. Despite Jansen’s heroics, South Africa managed only 208/7, falling short by 11 runs.
Fastest T20I 50s for South Africa (balls faced)
- 15 – Quinton de Kock vs WI Centurion 2023
- 16 – Marco Jansen vs Ind Centurion 2024
- 17 – Quinton de Kock vs Eng Durban 2020
- 19 – Tristan Stubbs vs Eng Bristol 2022
The explosive knock by Jansen, who finished with 54 off just 17 balls, almost overshadowed Tilak Varma’s earlier century for India. Varma’s unbeaten 107 off 56 balls, supported by Abhishek Sharma’s quickfire 50, had powered India to a commanding total. However, Jansen’s extraordinary hitting in the final overs nearly turned the match on its head, forcing India to dig deep for the win.
Arshdeep, who finished with figures of 3/37, held his nerve in the last over, conceding only 13 runs and delivering the crucial breakthrough that ended Jansen’s charge. Despite the scare, India walked away with the victory and a series lead.
🔴LIVE: IND v SA 3rd T20I Live: All eyes on Abhishek Sharma as visitors eye series lead in Centurion
