India's captain Suryakumar Yadav plays a stroke shot during the final T20 cricket match between South Africa and India, at the Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)India skipper Suryakumar Yadav brought up his 4th T20I century with his blistering knock against South Africa in the 3rd T20I at Johannesburg on Thursday.
Surya brought up his ton in 55 balls which was peppered with 8 sixes and 7 fours as he guided India towards a big total against the Proteas.
He also equalled Rohit’s Sharma’s record of scoring the most international T20I tons in the world. The other batter also in this list is Australia’s Glenn Maxwell who also has 4 T20I centuries.
On Wednesday, Yadav had consolidated his position at the top of the ICC Men’s T20I Batter Rankings after being rewarded for his quickfire half-century against South Africa in the second T20I in Gqeberha, South Africa.
The attacking right-hander gained a total of 10 rating points after smashing 56 from just 36 deliveries even though India fell short in the exciting clash by five wickets.
He was supported ably by the young Yashasvi Jaiswal who scored a quickfire 61 before departing off Tabraiz Shamsi.
Earlier, South African spinner Keshav Maharaj had given India an early scare when he bagged the wickets of Shubman Gill (12) and Tilak Varma (O) in back to back deliveries. Gill was caught leg before while Varma’s bad patch continued as he was caught out by Aiden Markram for a golden duck.
Before they were sent on the backfoot, the Indian openers were on song when they mined 29 runs from the first two overs with Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal hitting the Protea bowlers all around the park.
India were sent out to bat first after South Africa skipper Markram won the toss and opted to field first. India fielded the same playing XI with Ravi Bishnoi and Shreyas Iyer sitting out again. Meanwhile, South Africa had three changes with Nandre Burger making his debut while Keshav Maharaj and Donovan Ferreira comes into the side.
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