Flying Ants (Screengrab Photo)
The India vs
South Africa
3rd T20I was delayed due to
flying ants
swarming across Centurion on Wednesday. The umpires consulted with players from both teams before suspending play.
LIVE: India vs South Africa 3rd T20I
The players were forced to leave the field due to the insects, which were present in large numbers. On-air commentators confirmed that they were 'flying ants.'
It is not uncommon for insects to halt play in South Africa, but the culprits in a match against Sri Lanka in 2017 were bees, who interrupted play for over an hour.
Cricket South Africa posted on X, "Play has been halted due to a small pest problem. 'Flying ants' are running amok at the stadium, so we will wait for them to disperse before resuming play."
The game was held up for half-an-hour and resumed at 11:10pm IST (7:40pm local time).
Earlier, in the third T20 International at Centurion's SuperSport Park, Tilak Varma shone brightly, smashing an unbeaten century to propel India to an imposing 219/6 against South Africa.
Promoted to number three, Varma grabbed the opportunity with a scintillating 107 off just 56 balls. This maiden T20I century marked him as the second youngest Indian and 12th overall from the nation to achieve this feat in men's T20Is.
Walking in during the very first over, Varma faced a two-paced wicket with fearless aggression. He capitalised on every opportunity, sending the ball soaring for eight fours and seven sixes.
Varma's innings was a masterclass in powerful hitting, with all 71 runs coming from boundaries on the leg side. His ability to pace the innings while showcasing breathtaking stroke-play was remarkable.
Abhishek Sharma provided solid support with a brisk 25-ball fifty, ending his lean patch. Their 107-run partnership for the second wicket proved instrumental in shifting the momentum, effectively utilising the short boundaries during the powerplay.
For South Africa, bowling duties were shared by Andile Simelane and Keshav Maharaj, each claiming two wickets. India, opting to bat first, faced an early setback as Sanju Samson was dismissed for consecutive golden ducks, undone by Jansen's subtle swing.
However, Abhishek and Tilak combined brilliantly to wrest back control, putting South Africa on the defensive.
Varma started his onslaught with a four and a six off Jansen. Abhishek, initially taking his time, then hammered Gerard Coetzee for two fours and a six in a high-scoring second over. Varma continued his assault on Lutho Sipamla, finding the boundary twice with a pull and a straight drive, while Sharma launched Simelane for two consecutive sixes. India ended the powerplay at a commanding 70/1.
The boundaries kept flowing after the Powerplay. Sharma danced down the track to hit Aiden Markram for four, while Varma effortlessly reverse-swept him for six before hooking Coetzee for another maximum off a no-ball. Sharma continued his aggressive approach, dispatching Maharaj for a six, before reaching his fifty with a single.
However, Maharaj struck back, trapping Sharma lbw, ending the impactful partnership. Suryakumar Yadav then fell prey to Simelane, caught at sweeper cover.
Hardik Pandya, known for his elegant strokeplay, struck three boundaries before Maharaj trapped him lbw with a pinpoint straight delivery. Varma, having reached his fifty off a mere 32 balls, continued his onslaught, lofting Maharaj over extra cover for four and following it up with two more boundaries.
Coetzee bore the brunt of Varma's aggression, conceding a six over long-on off an overpitched delivery. Varma then showcased his wristy brilliance, whipping another maximum over deep square leg and following it up with a boundary.
Simelane returned to dismiss a struggling Rinku Singh. However, debutant Ramandeep Singh announced his arrival in style, smashing a six off his very first ball in international cricket before adding a wristy drive for four.
Varma reached his century in 51 balls with a chipped drive past mid-off for four off Sipamla. He then added a scooped six over fine leg off a free-hit delivery.
Although Ramandeep was run out in the final over, Varma's whirlwind knock ensured India finished with an imposing total.
Brief scores:
India 219/6 in 20 overs (Tilak Varma 107 not out, Abhishek Sharma 50; Andile Simelane 2-34, Keshav Maharaj 2-36) against South Africa
English (US) ·