SA vs IND, T20Is: Tilak Varma became the Player of the Series after back-to-back tons against South Africa. Has Tilak sealed no. 3 spot in T20I?
India's rising cricket sensation, Tilak Varma, has been making an indelible mark on the international stage with a series of outstanding performances in the recent T20I series against South Africa. The 22-year-old left-hander has quickly emerged as one of India’s most promising talents, establishing himself as the new No. 3 batter in the India team.
Tilak’s batting brilliance has been nothing short of spectacular, especially in the T20I series against South Africa, where he dominated the scoreboard. Over four innings, he accumulated a total of 280 runs at an extraordinary average of 140.00. His strike rate of 198.58 was equally impressive, showcasing his ability to score rapidly and maintain pressure on the opposition. His tally included 21 fours and 20 sixes, underlining his aggressive and dynamic approach to the game. His contributions were key in helping India seal a 3-1 series victory over the Proteas.
Tilak slams two consecutive centuries
A standout moment in the series came during the third match at Centurion, where Tilak scored a brilliant 107 runs off just 56 balls. His innings, which included seven sixes and eight fours, was a masterclass in aggressive batting. This century was especially notable as it came after he made a special request to India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, to bat at the coveted No. 3 spot. Suryakumar, recognising his talent and potential, agreed to the request, and Tilak delivered with a spectacular knock that helped set up a comfortable win for India.
The young batter continued his excellent form in the following match at Johannesburg, where he scored an unbeaten 120 runs off just 47 balls at a breathtaking strike rate of 255.32. His innings included 9 fours and 10 sixes, further cementing his place as one of the most exciting young talents in world cricket. With back-to-back centuries in T20Is, Tilak Varma became only the second India player to achieve this feat, joining the ranks of Sanju Samson.
India batters to score consecutive T20I centuries
1) Sanju Samson - 111 vs Bangladesh, 107 vs South Africa
2) Tilak Varma – 107* vs South Africa, 120* vs South Africa
Learning from the golden duck
Tilak Varma, who was awarded both Player of the Match and Player of the Series for his stellar performances, reflected on his remarkable achievements and India’s series win over South Africa during the post-match presentation. He humorously recalled his previous experience in South Africa, where he was dismissed for a duck on the first ball, making his recent success all the more special. "Last year, when I played here, I got out on the first ball. This innings was very crucial for the team and the series," he said.
Tilak highlighted the importance of staying composed and sticking to his fundamentals. "I just wanted to hold my shape and follow my basics, just like I did in the last game. I remained calm throughout," he explained.
The young batter admitted that scoring two centuries in South Africa felt "unbelievable" and was something he never anticipated. "I never imagined I'd score two hundreds in South Africa in such challenging conditions," he added, expressing his disbelief at his achievement.
Requested for No 3 spot and owned it in style
India T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, shared an interesting insight into Tilak’s determination to seize an opportunity in India’s lineup during the recent T20I series against South Africa. After the second T20I in Gqeberha, Tilak approached Suryakumar with a request to bat at No. 3, a position he felt would suit him better. Tilak, who had made a comeback to India’s T20I squad for the series, had batted at No. 4 in the first two matches but managed only modest scores of 33 and 20.
In a team that is eagerly awaiting the return of players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Riyan Parag, Rishabh Pant, and Shivam Dube, such scores weren’t likely to be enough to secure a permanent spot. Tilak recognised that and was determined to make a bigger impact. He decided to push for the No. 3 position. His captain, Suryakumar, agreed to the move.
However, it’s still too early to say if Tilak has secured the No. 3 spot permanently. The position has been occupied by various players, including Suryakumar Yadav himself and the left-handed keeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who has regularly batted at No. 3 in recent times.
As the team evolves, it will be intriguing to see whether Suryakumar continues to promote Tilak Varma to the vital No. 3 spot and potentially sacrifice his own place. Additionally, with Rishabh Pant aiming for a return to the T20 side, the question of where he will bat—especially if Tilak continues his fine form—adds another layer of intrigue to India’s batting lineup. The competition for the No. 3 position promises to be an interesting subplot in the coming months.
Comments