Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma rewrite record books as South Africa overwhelmed in 4th T20I

Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma impressed with their innings of 109 and 120 respectively, helping India to a formidable total of over 280 runs. Team India showcased their power-hitting abilities by smashing a total of 23 sixes in the fourth T20I, equaling the third-highest number of sixes ever hit in a single T20I innings.

The record for most maximums in a single innings is held by Zimbabwe as the team hit 27 sixes against Gambia in October 2024. In the 4th T20I, Sanju Samson hit 9 maximums while Tilak Varma registered 10 sixes.

Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma also registered a partnership of 210 runs for the second wicket off just 93 balls. This is the sixth-highest partnership for any wicket in T20Is. Both the batters also registered the highest partnership for second wicket in T20Is.

Team India also registered the third-fastest 200 in a T20I match. Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma ensured that India post a total of more than 200 inside 14.1 overs.

Team India have also registered their second-highest T20I total, owing to Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma's heroics. It was just earlier this year, that India had registered their highest team T20I total – 297 against Bangladesh.

During the fourth T20I against South Africa, Sanju Samson also registered his third T20I century. All his three centuries in the shortest format have come in 2024. As a result, he has now become the first player ever to score three T20 international centuries in a calendar year.

Tilak Varma also registered his second T20I century for India. The 22-year-old has now become the fifth player to score back-to-back T20I centuries, after India's Sanju Samson, France's Gustav Mckeon, South Africa's Rilee Rossouw and England's Phil Salt.

This is also the first instance of two batters scoring individual hundreds in a T20I between two full member nations, meanwhile, this is the third time overall in the format.

Owing to Samson and Tilak's heroics, India also posted the highest T20I total against South Africa surpassing the previous best -- 258/3 by West Indies in Centurion in 2023.

In the end, Samson remained unbeaten on 109 off 56 balls while Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on 120 off 47 balls.

Earlier, Abhishek Sharma had also played a knock of 36 balls off just 18 balls. It was India who won the toss, and opted to bat first.

India already have a 2-1 lead in the four-match series, and South Africa needs to win this match, if they want to level the four-game series.

Most sixes in an innings – 23 (Top 10 teams)

1st instance of two centuries in same innings (Full member nations)

Highest partnership for second-wicket in T20Is – 210*

Highest innings total in South Africa – 283

India's fastest to 200 runs – 14.1 overs