Suryakumar Yadav’s impressive fourth century in T20 Internationals paves the way for a comfortable win against South Africa.

Suryakumar Yadav continues to impress as a T20 batsman, showcasing his prowess in Johannesburg during the three-match T20 series against South Africa. The 33-year-old, captaining India, delivered an outstanding performance, scoring his fourth century in T20 Internationals in just 57 innings. This achievement puts him on par with Rohit Sharma and Glenn Maxwell for the most hundreds in T20Is. Despite facing challenges in his ODI career, Suryakumar has demonstrated exceptional skills in the shortest format, consistently achieving significant scores at a remarkable pace. Additionally, Yashasvi Jaiswal made a notable contribution at the Wanderers, scoring 60 off 41 balls after a previous game where he failed to score.

South Africa faced a collapse, managing only 95 runs in 13.5 overs in response, leading to India securing a 106-run victory and leveling the series. Kuldeep Yadav, a left-arm wrist spinner, achieved his best T20I figures of 5/17.

The pitch clearly favored batting as India swiftly reached 29/0 in two overs. Shubman Gill showcased his skills with three fours in the opening over bowled by debutant Nandre Burger, while Jaiswal added 15 runs in the following over by Aiden Markram. Notably, Jaiswal executed a six by confidently stepping out and driving Markram over cover.

Although Keshav Maharaj dismissed Gill and Tilak Varma in consecutive deliveries during the third over, it had little impact on India’s scoring rate in the powerplay. Jaiswal continued his aggressive approach by hitting Lizaad Williams for a six over deep square leg. Suryakumar, in the same over, exhibited a wristy flick, sending a full ball for another six towards midwicket. An even more impressive shot was Suryakumar’s six against Maharaj, as he elegantly stepped down the track and flicked the ball over the midwicket boundary.

With a score of 62/2 in six overs, the team was poised for a formidable total. Jaiswal, determined to maintain their momentum, seized the opportunity by hitting two boundaries off left-arm wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi in the eighth over. Taking advantage of a short-pitched delivery from Williams in the 12th over, Jaiswal confidently rocked back, sending the ball over midwicket for a six.

Suryakumar briefly slowed down, going 17 deliveries without a boundary, before regaining momentum by lofting Maharaj over extra cover for a six in the 11th over. Following this boundary, he shifted to a higher gear, scoring 22 runs off Andile Phehlukwayo in the 13th over. Suryakumar showcased his prowess on the leg side with three sixes, the first being a well-timed shot over wide long-on. Subsequent to an elegant on-drive and another flick, India reached a total of 131/2 in 13 overs. Notably, Suryakumar achieved his second consecutive fifty, accomplishing the feat in 32 balls after scoring 56 in the second T20I.

In the following over, Suryakumar skillfully hit a deceptive delivery from Shamsi over extra cover, securing his seventh six of the innings. Although Shamsi managed to dismiss Jaiswal as he was caught by Reeza Hendricks at long off, the entrance of the in-form Rinku Singh, with six overs remaining, was advantageous for India.

Rinku didn’t have to contribute much, given Suryakumar’s exceptional form. The 16th over, bowled by Burger, yielded 17 runs, showcasing Suryakumar’s diverse range and reinforcing his status as the top-ranked batter in this format. He executed his trademark ramp shot over fine leg for a six, and a particularly elegant wristy punch found the gap between long on and deep midwicket perfectly.

Suryakumar’s form left little room for error, as even a wide yorker from Williams was expertly guided past short third for a boundary. Rinku’s brief 10-ball innings included a single six, effortlessly swatting Shamsi into the leg-side boundary. Suryakumar’s outstanding performance concluded in the final over, marking his century in just 55 deliveries.