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Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma survived on back-to-back deliveries in the first over from Marco Jansen.
IND vs SA, 4th T20I: Sanju Samson survived a third duck in a row (AP)
Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma were saved by missed and dropped catches on back-to-back deliveries in the first over from Marco Jansen during the fourth T20I of the four-match series between India and South Africa at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Friday.
South Africa vs India: 4th T20I – LIVE
On the third ball of the opening over, Samson avoided a third straight duck. Jansen bowled it full and around off with a cross-seamer that was angling away. Samson pushed at it and got an outside edge that travelled well wide of first slip.
On the very next ball, Abhishek was put down in the first slip. Jansen bowled it full and quick outside off as the Indian opener looked to jam it out but ended up getting a thick outside edge. The ball flew fast towards the first slip as Reeza Hendricks just could not react in time – trying to catch it around his face but dropped the sharp chance.
Earlier, India opted to bat first against South Africa as skipper Suryakumar Yadav won the toss for the first time in this series. He decided to continue the theme of India batting first like they did in the opening three games.
In the previous game, Tilak Varma made his promotion to the No.3 spot count by hitting a terrific unbeaten 107 off 56 balls – his maiden century in T20Is – while Arshdeep Singh picked a crucial 3-37 as India held their nerve to beat South Africa by 11 runs in third T20I at SuperSport Park and take a 2-1 lead in the four-match series.
India had lost the second T20I by three wickets after having won the first game, by 61 runs, in dominant fashion to set up the series decider.
The clash against South Africa will mark the end of what has been an incredible year for the Indians in the shortest format of the game. Not only did the side win their second-ever T20 World Cup in June, but they also recorded 24 wins out of a total of 26 games.
South Africa on the other hand have struggled after the T20 WC final and have not won a series since. After the final, the Proteas were whitewashed by the West Indies and drew a series against Ireland. Although the side does not have a chance to win the series, A win on Friday night would rescue them a draw.
(With inputs from Agencies)
