Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma lit up the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg with a breathtaking six-hitting spree during the 4th T20I against South Africa on Friday. Their unbeaten centuries powered India to 282/1, the team’s second-highest T20I total and the highest-ever against South Africa in the format.

Samson, smashing 109* off 56 balls, became the first cricketer to score three T20I centuries in a calendar year. His return to form came after two consecutive ducks, marking an incredible comeback. 

Meanwhile, Tilak Varma, just 22 years old, blazed his way to 120* off 47 balls, his second T20I century, which came just after his stellar knock against South Africa in the 3rd T20I of the series. 

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India post 282/1 as Sanju and Tilak set multiple records in the Johannesburg thriller

The duo created history, becoming the first pair from a full-member nation to score centuries in the same T20I innings.

Their 210-run unbeaten partnership is now the highest-ever stand for any wicket in T20I cricket. Samson reached his century off 51 balls. It was his third T20I ton in just five innings, making him only the third Indian to achieve the feat after Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav.

Tilak Varma continued his dream run, becoming the fifth cricketer to register back-to-back T20I centuries. Joining an elite list alongside Samson, France’s Gustav McKeon, South Africa’s Rilee Rossouw, and England’s Phil Salt, Varma remained unbeaten in his last two innings, showcasing remarkable consistency.

Later in the second innings of the match, India’s formidable bowling unit dismissed South Africa at 148 in 18.2 overs to win the match by a huge margin of 135 runs. India registered a magnificent series win by 3-1 after an embarrassing 3-0 whitewash by New Zealand in Tests.