Flying ants invasion halts India vs South Africa 3rd T20I in Centurion, players escorted off the field by umpires

In a turn of events that shocked everyone, the India vs South Africa 3rd T20I came to a screeching halt thanks to an unexpected invasion of flying ants and insects at the SuperSport in Centurion. As the South African innings began, chaos ensued when the flying ants disrupted play after just one over. Arshdeep Singh found himself in a battle with the pesky insects, while Hardik Pandya had his focus broken just as he was about to bowl. With the situation spiraling out of control, the umpires made the bizarre decision to call off the game and instructed the players to leave the field. At that moment, South Africa had reached 7/0 in their pursuit of a massive 220-run target. Just when you think you've seen it all in cricket, nature throws a curveball and leaves everyone scratching their heads.

The groundstaff had to use vacuum cleaners to blow the ants away. The players came back on the field after a stoppage of 19 minutes.

Tilak Varma (107 not out) produced a batting masterclass while slamming his maiden international hundred as India posted a massive 219 for six. Tilak got ample backing from Abhishek Sharma who made a brisk 50 after SA skipper Aiden Markram invited the visitors to bat first.

The 22-year-old Tilak tore into the South African pacers as he hammered seven sixes and eight fours during his innings off a mere 57 balls, powering India to their second-highest score against the Proteas in this format.

On his part, Abhishek banished a poor run with the bat with a stroke-laden half-century, scoring 50 off only 25 balls laced with five sixes and three fours as the two southpaws dazzled with the bat. With his rich arsenal of strokes in all directions, Tilak dominated the bowling with complete authority and also helped India stay on course through the blips.

First, he forged a 107-run stand with Abhishek for the second wicket to build a strong platform after the early dismissal of Sanju Samson (0).

As India stuttered in the middle overs with Keshav Maharaj (2/36) applying the brakes, Tilak ensured his team did not squander the advantage with a late charge — his last 52 runs came off only 22 balls in the last six overs. Tilak’s charge also masked the failure for skipper Suryakumar Yadav (1), Hardik Pandya (18) and Rinku Singh (8).

At the start, Samson was beaten by a low bounce on the second ball from Marco Jansen as the Indian opener, who made a hundred in the first match, fell to his second successive duck in this series.