201/8 (20.0)
CRR : 10.05
231/5 (20.0)
CRR : 11.55
India won by 30 runs 🏆
Player of the Match
Player
1/4163(25)
Great Striker of the Match Award: Tilak Varma (10 Fours)
Smart Saver of the Match: Sanju Samson
Player of the Match: Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya (POTM): "Thank you!!! Yeah, I don't play cricket to win player of the match awards. I have always played sports to win games. It is always exciting, and it is always good to win games when you do well.
I didn't know I was the second-fastest fifty-holder for India. I found out after I was out and in the dressing room. A social media manager informed me of it. My first reaction was, Ah, I missed the first spot! But happy that Yuvi pa (Yuvraj) still holds that record.
I had told my teammates and my partner earlier in the day that I was going to step out on the first ball itself and try to hit it for a six. I felt that it was my day. I was confident it would come off. The situation when I walked out suited my style; I backed myself, and it worked. I took a calculated risk, and thankfully it worked in my favour.
Always enjoyed the challenge. No matter how many setbacks you face, the aim is to come back stronger, better, and make a bigger impact. When it all comes together, it feels satisfying. But the journey continues - the preparation, the planning, the hard work never stops."
I didn't know I was the second-fastest fifty-holder for India. I found out after I was out and in the dressing room. A social media manager informed me of it. My first reaction was, Ah, I missed the first spot! But happy that Yuvi pa (Yuvraj) still holds that record.
I had told my teammates and my partner earlier in the day that I was going to step out on the first ball itself and try to hit it for a six. I felt that it was my day. I was confident it would come off. The situation when I walked out suited my style; I backed myself, and it worked. I took a calculated risk, and thankfully it worked in my favour.
Always enjoyed the challenge. No matter how many setbacks you face, the aim is to come back stronger, better, and make a bigger impact. When it all comes together, it feels satisfying. But the journey continues - the preparation, the planning, the hard work never stops."
Player of the Series: Varun Chakaravarthy
Varun Chakaravarthy (Player of the Series): "It was a high-intensity match today. I’d say it was probably the best game of the series, and I really enjoyed being part of it.
Throughout the series, the role given to me has been very clear. My first option is always to look for wickets, and then to contain. When the captain gives me the ball with that responsibility, it gives me a lot of confidence.
I do have a lot of sounding boards within the side. I speak to Surya, Washi, Sanju, and a few others as well. Those conversations help a lot, and the encouragement from them makes a big difference.
When you’re seen as a wicket-taker, there’s always a target on your back. So the only way to stay ahead is to keep evolving. I try to bowl something new every series. If it works, that’s great. If it doesn’t, I go back, work on it, and keep improving.
I’d like to dedicate this award to my mom, my dad, and my sister."
Throughout the series, the role given to me has been very clear. My first option is always to look for wickets, and then to contain. When the captain gives me the ball with that responsibility, it gives me a lot of confidence.
I do have a lot of sounding boards within the side. I speak to Surya, Washi, Sanju, and a few others as well. Those conversations help a lot, and the encouragement from them makes a big difference.
When you’re seen as a wicket-taker, there’s always a target on your back. So the only way to stay ahead is to keep evolving. I try to bowl something new every series. If it works, that’s great. If it doesn’t, I go back, work on it, and keep improving.
I’d like to dedicate this award to my mom, my dad, and my sister."
Suryakumar Yadav (India Captain): "Yeah, I mean, from the start of the tournament, we wanted to play a certain brand of cricket. I am happy that we did exactly that. We didn’t try to do anything different. We wanted to express ourselves across all departments, and the results are right there for everyone to see.
Yeah, this is something we felt was missing in our last few series. This is exactly how we wanted to bat. Once someone gets going, they don’t stop. We wanted that relentless intent, and tonight it worked beautifully.
Yes, we wanted to try something different. The plan was to use Bumrah in a one-over spell in the powerplay, control the middle phase after drinks and then have him ready for the death overs. Washi stepped up brilliantly tonight and took responsibility to bowl in the powerplay. That is something we tried tonight.
We were under the pump at times, we were challenged, but this game is about how you come back, and the boys did really well. It’s been challenging, but a very good series. We did almost everything we wanted to.
Maybe the only thing we couldn’t quite manage was finding Surya the batter, I think he went missing somewhere! (smiles) But he’ll be back stronger.
As a team, I’m really happy. Whenever we were in trouble, someone always put their hand up and pulled us through. As captain, that’s very satisfying with the way this series went for us."
Yeah, this is something we felt was missing in our last few series. This is exactly how we wanted to bat. Once someone gets going, they don’t stop. We wanted that relentless intent, and tonight it worked beautifully.
Yes, we wanted to try something different. The plan was to use Bumrah in a one-over spell in the powerplay, control the middle phase after drinks and then have him ready for the death overs. Washi stepped up brilliantly tonight and took responsibility to bowl in the powerplay. That is something we tried tonight.
We were under the pump at times, we were challenged, but this game is about how you come back, and the boys did really well. It’s been challenging, but a very good series. We did almost everything we wanted to.
Maybe the only thing we couldn’t quite manage was finding Surya the batter, I think he went missing somewhere! (smiles) But he’ll be back stronger.
As a team, I’m really happy. Whenever we were in trouble, someone always put their hand up and pulled us through. As captain, that’s very satisfying with the way this series went for us."
Suryakumar Yadav collects the trophy! The entire squad is ready for the photographs beyond the champions' board. Shahbaz Ahmed is in the middle of them all and lifts the trophy. Smiles all over in the Indian camp.
India seal another T20I series, defeating South Africa 3-1 in this five-match series!!! A dominating display from the hosts to keep moving in the right direction, preparing for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
South Africa, on the other hand, would be disappointed with the way they ended this tour. They started with an unreal 2-0 sweep in the red-ball format. Then they were brushed aside in the ODIs 1-2, although they took it to the decider. Aiden Markram and Co. have a fine squad for the shortest format, but they haven't been coming out on the winning side in the T20Is for a while now.
Up next, India will welcome New Zealand for a white-ball series next month, while South African players will be busy with the SA20.
That is it from our end. I am AkshayaKrishna Polya, signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Dev Rajawat, scorer Raju Khariya and statistician Aman. We will meet again. Until then, it is cheers!!!
South Africa, on the other hand, would be disappointed with the way they ended this tour. They started with an unreal 2-0 sweep in the red-ball format. Then they were brushed aside in the ODIs 1-2, although they took it to the decider. Aiden Markram and Co. have a fine squad for the shortest format, but they haven't been coming out on the winning side in the T20Is for a while now.
Up next, India will welcome New Zealand for a white-ball series next month, while South African players will be busy with the SA20.
That is it from our end. I am AkshayaKrishna Polya, signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Dev Rajawat, scorer Raju Khariya and statistician Aman. We will meet again. Until then, it is cheers!!!