The Indian team celebrated Sanju Samson’s birthday as they arrived in Centurion ahead of the third T20I against South Africa.
It’s all smiles at the Centurion as the Indian Cricket Team marked their arrival at the city on Tuesday ahead of their third T20I against South Africa, set to take place at the SuperSport Park tomorrow.
The four-match T20I series is currently tied at 1-1, with the Proteas securing a thrilling three-wicket win over India in the previous game, thanks to the heroics of Tristan Stubbs and Gerald Coetzee.
Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Suryakumar Yadav, and the others enjoyed some quality time together as they traveled from Gqeberha.
More importantly, the team also got together to throw a little cake-cutting ceremony for birthday boy Sanju Samson as well, who celebrated it on November 11.
The Indian team will be looking to keep the high spirits going as they will aim to bounce back for a drama-filled loss to South Africa on Sunday.
The first hint of a topsy-turvy night came when India limped to 124 for six on a quick, bouncy pitch after getting the invitation to bat first.
The Proteas were at one stage 66 for six and 86 for seven, which eventually transpired into 128 for seven, as Chakravarthy continued his international resurgence with a five-wicket haul (5/17).
But SA found two valiant soldiers in determined Stubbs (47 not out) and aggressive Gerald Coetzee (19 not out) who added a precious 42 runs for the eighth wicket alliance to carry their side past the tape.
However, Chakravarthy deserves credit for making the match a thrilling affair, as the 33-year-old spinner recorded his career-best figures of 5 for 17, all in vain.
India will face South Africa in the third and final T20Is on Wednesday and Friday at Centurion and Johannesburg, respectively.
