Tilak finished the series as the highest run-scorer, amassing 280 runs across four T20Is, with an incredible strike rate of 198.58.
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav’s decision to promote young Tilak Varma to the number three position in the third and fourth T20I against South Africa proved to be an excellent move.
Tilak, who had been batting at number four in the first two games, asked Suryakumar for a chance to move up the order. Without any hesitation, Suryakumar gave up his number three spot to let the 22-year-old take on the responsibility.
After Virat Kohli’s retirement from T20Is, Suryakumar Yadav took over the number three spot. However, in the last two matches of the series, he stepped aside for Tilak Varma, who capitalized on the opportunity by scoring consecutive centuries on tough South African pitches. The decision proved to be a successful one.
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In the post match press conference, Suryakumar Yadav highlighted Virat Kohli’s consistent success at number three and saw it as a perfect opportunity for young Tilak Varma to step into that role. Suryakumar and Tilak discussed the move, agreeing it was the right time for Tilak to take on the responsibility, not just for the current series, but for the future as well.
“It was actually running in my mind that there has been a time when one man has battered consistently at number three and done wonders for India. this was a perfect situation, a perfect opportunity for a young guy and definitely someone like him,” Suryakumar said in the post-match press conference.
“I mean the way he batted at the Super Sport Park and also here today, it was incredible, and I hope he continues to do the same things same way not not only in T20 cricket but for all formats for India,” he noted.
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Tilak Varma showcased his ability to score quickly in both Centurion and Johannesburg. In his first match at number three during the third T20I at Centurion, he played a stunning knock of 107* from just 56 balls, including eight boundaries and seven sixes.
He raised the bar even higher in the fourth T20I at Johannesburg, blasting 120* off 47 balls, leading India to an enormous total of 283/1, the highest score ever by any team in South Africa.
Tilak finished the series as the highest run-scorer, amassing 280 runs across four T20Is, with an incredible strike rate of 198.58.
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