WATCH: Ramandeep Singh gets off the mark with huge six as India posts 219/6 during 3rd T20I against South Africa

Debutant all-rounder Ramandeep Singh made an instant impact with the bat during the third T20I against South Africa. Earlier in the day, Hardik Pandya had presented the cap to Ramandeep as he came into the team in place of Avesh Khan. The 27-year-old was given his maiden India call-up after an impressive showing during IPL 2024. 

Andile Simelane bowled the last ball of the 18th over with Ramandeep Singh on strike. The South African seamer bowled a full ball to Ramandeep, who cleared his leg and smoked the ball deep into the stands over the mid-on region for a six. With a six on his very first ball, Ramandeep showed his class and talent with the bat. 

A good hit to start your journey #ramandeepsingh bhai .
You played better than #rinkusingh today.#SAvsINDpic.twitter.com/ubh6MDni2h

— Rohan Chauhan (@AnkurChauhan07) November 13, 2024

The 27-year-old wasn’t done yet as he smashed Lutho Sipamla for a four straight down the ground. The power behind the shot was such that the ball sped past the mid-off fielder, giving him no chance. Ramandeep's cameo also helped India post a huge total on the board. 

Tilak Varma’s century props up India to 219/6 

Aiden Markram won the toss and chose to bowl first as both teams made one change each. Marco Jansen set the ball rolling with the wicket of Sanju Samson for a second-ball duck. This got Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma, together as the pair, added 107 runs in just 50 balls. 

Abhishek delighted the crowd with terrific sixes as he reached his half-century with a single. Keshav Maharaj then beat him to flight and was stumped by Klaasen in the 9th over. Suryakumar Yadav’s woeful time with the bat continued as he was out for just 1 caught by Marco Jansen off Simelane. 

Hardik Pandya was out for 18 when he was trapped in front of the wicket by Keshav Maharaj in the 13th over. Rinku Singh came out and scored just 8 runs but he played the perfect foil to Tilak Varma who was setting the ground on fire. The 22-year-old reached his ton with a four down the ground and celebrated the feat animatedly. 

At the end of the innings, India had reached 219/6 with Tilak Varma not out on 107. His knock came off 56 balls with the help of 8 fours and 7 huge sixes. One of which was off Gerald Coetzee that travelled way back into the stands. Ramandeep Singh was run out for 15 off just six balls with one four and one six.