New Delhi: marco jansonThe fastest half-century ever against India in T20, the stormy half-century almost turned the match in favor of South Africa, but India secured a thrilling 11-run victory in the third T20 match in Centurion.
Johnson’s late attack, which took him to fifty off just 16 balls, gave India a serious scare in the final moments of the match, but Arshdeep Singh’s calm death bowling secured the victory, leaving India with four Got an unbeatable 2-1 lead in the matches. series.
Chasing India’s mammoth score of 219/6, South Africa were out of the contest at 169/6 after 18 overs. But Jensen had other plans. Moving in at No. 7, the tall all-rounder attacked India’s bowlers vigorously and dismissed Hardik Pandya for 26 runs in the final over, which included two sixes and three fours. His blitzkrieg brought South Africa very close, needing 25 runs from the final over to pull off a miraculous victory.
Fastest T20I 50 (balls faced) against India
- 16 – Marco Jansson, Centurion 2024
- 19 – Cameron Green, Hyderabad 2022
- 20 – Johnson Charles, Lauderhill 2016
- 20 – Dasun Shanaka, Pune 2023
Johnson’s onslaught continued till the last over, where he hit a six off the second ball of Arshdeep Singh to complete his record-breaking half-century in just 16 balls, the fastest by any batsman against India in T20I history. However, Arshdeep responded quickly by dismissing Jensen on the very next ball, ending South Africa’s hopes of a dramatic win. Despite Jensen’s heroics, South Africa could only score 208/7 and fell short by 11 runs.
Fastest T20I 50 (balls faced) for South Africa
- 15 – Quinton de Kock vs West Indies Centurion 2023
- 16 – Marco Jansen vs Ind Centurion 2024
- 17 – Quinton de Kock vs England Durban 2020
- 19 – Tristan Stubbs vs England Bristol 2022
Johnson’s explosive innings, which scored 54 runs in just 17 balls, almost overshadowed Tilak Verma’s previous century for India. With the help of Abhishek Sharma’s quick 50 runs, Verma’s unbeaten inning of 107 runs in 56 balls took India to a strong score. However, Jensen’s extraordinary hitting in the final overs almost turned the match, leaving India to work hard to win.
Arshdeep, who finished with figures of 3/37, maintained his composure in the last over, conceding only 13 runs and providing the crucial breakthrough that ended Jensen’s attack. Despite the scare, India went on to win and take the series lead.
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