- Australian Brett Robinson graduates to rugby's top post
- Brazil looking for motive after attempted Supreme Court bombing
- Hotels on Booking.com can offer better rates elsewhere: EU
- EU deforestation ban in chaos as parliament loosens rules
- Springboks make 12 changes to team for England clash
- All Blacks fly-half Barrett returns from concussion against France
- UEFA launches investigation into Premier League referee Coote
- Monaco Formula One GP extended until 2031
- Climate finance: who is being asked to pay what at COP29?
- 'Terrible' AI has given tech an existential headache: activist
- COP29 host tries to calm waters after diplomatic turmoil
- Late drama as Saudis hold Australia in World Cup qualifier
- Israel warfare methods 'consistent with genocide': UN committee
- Iran activist kills himself after demanding release of prisoners
- Russia shuts Moscow's famed gulag museum
- London mayor says Trump attacks due to his ethnicity and religion
- Japan expect tough Indonesia test with World Cup spot in reach
- Uganda TikToker convicted for insulting president
- Burberry launches turnaround plan as posts loss
- Fickou starts for France against New Zealand
- Spain flood epicentre survives fresh rain alert
- Strike hits south Beirut after Israel evacuation warning: AFPTV
- Thousands flee as Typhoon Usagi hits north of Philippines
- King Charles turns 76 after year of little celebration
- Greece's ambitious 'smart city' by the sea takes shape
- For profit or for all? Argentine football clubs red-card Milei reforms
- New Zealand coach hails 'amazing' Chris Wood after fine Forest form
- Corruption overshadows Ukraine's multi-billion reconstruction progam
- Dating apps move to friend zone in search of profits
- As Trump returns, African exporters torn between hope and horror
- Trump's climate impact 'recoverable': researchers
- HRW accuses Israel of 'war crime' with 'forcible transfer' in Gaza
- 'Interior Chinatown' satirizes Asian roles in Hollywood... and beyond screen
- Wembanyama hits another milestone with 50-point game for Spurs
- Live-streamed prayers for stressed S. Korean exam parents
- Scientists say world's largest coral found near Solomon Islands
- Sculptor Gormley hopes art can be bridge to China despite curbs
- UN nuclear chief in Iran to 'reach diplomatic solutions'
- Israel face France in Paris football match under tight security
- Beijing's fears after Trump fills key posts with China hawks
- Man with explosives dies trying to enter Brazil's Supreme Court
- South Korea exam sees record number of re-takes after medical reforms
- Asian markets mixed as traders weigh Fed; bitcoin above $90,000
- Pumas seek historic win over 'hurt' Irish
- Advantage Martin as MotoGP reaches gripping climax in Barcelona
- Man with explosives dies trying to enter Brazil Supreme Court
- Mike Tyson, 58, back in ring to face Youtuber Paul
- Hunger in G20 host Brazil is Lula's unfinished fight
- Biden, Xi arrive in Peru ahead of face-to-face at Asia-Pacific summit
- Mysterious diamond-laden necklace fetches $4.8 mn in Geneva auction
Maiden century by Varma gives India unbeatable series lead
Tilak Varma hit a maiden international century as India beat South Africa by 11 runs in the third Twenty20 international at SuperSport Park on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old left-hander made an unbeaten 107 off 56 balls in an Indian total of 219-6.
South Africa were restricted to 208-7, giving India an unbeatable 2-1 lead in the four-match series.
"I was waiting for this for a long time, coming back after injury," Varma told host broadcaster SuperSport, referring to a hand injury which restricted his playing time in 2024.
Varma epitomised the "fearless cricket" espoused by captain Suryakumar Yadav.
Promoted to number three in the batting order, he faced the third ball of the match after Sanju Samson was bowled for a second successive duck by Marco Jansen.
He immediately went on the attack, hitting the second and third balls he faced from Jansen for four and six as he launched an innings which included eight fours and seven sixes.
"I was just thinking I have got an opportunity to bat at number three and I just wanted to express myself," he said.
"We played the brand of cricket we wanted to play," said Suryakumar, who revealed that Varma had requested a promotion up the batting order. "He asked for it and he responded," said the captain.
Fellow left-hander Abhishek Sharma was similarly aggressive, hitting 50 off 25 balls with three fours and five sixes in a second-wicket stand of 107 off 52 deliveries with Varma.
South Africa were never up with the required run rate but some big hitting by Heinrich Klaasen (41) and Jansen (54) enabled the hosts to score 105 runs off the last seven overs.
Klaasen hit three sixes off successive balls from leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy, India's most successful bowler in the first two matches.
Jansen thrashed a 16-ball half-century before falling leg before wicket to left-arm opening bowler Arshdeep Singh off the third ball of the final over.
Put under pressure by Abhishek and Varma, South Africa bowled three no-balls and 10 wides, which ultimately proved the difference between the two teams, with India bowling only one wide.
Brief scores:
India 219-6 in 20 overs (A. Sharma 50, T. Varma 107 not out; A Simelane 2-34, K. Maharaj 2-36).
South Africa 208-7 in 20 overs (H. Klaasen 41, M. Jansen 54; Arshdeep Singh 3-37, V. Chakravarthy 2-54).
Result: India won by 11 runs.
Series: India lead the four-match series 2-1.
Toss: South Africa.
Remaining match:
November 15, Johannesburg
P.Cavaco--PC