Youngster Tilak Varma wreaked havoc in the third T20I against South Africa in Centurion. The visitors lost Sanju Samson on the second ball of the game and after which, the duo of Abhishek Sharma and Tilak took care of the business and stitched a 107-run partnership off just 50 balls, which helped India early on. The duo wasn’t shy to play shots which put the Proteas under pressure.
Abhishek departed after scoring an attacking 50 runs off 25 deliveries and after which, Tilak played a brilliant knock. Even when the visitors were losing wickets at quick intervals, the 22-year-old didn’t change his game style and ended up registering his maiden century in T20 internationals. He kept up with the momentum and smashed 107 runs off 56 deliveries as India posted 219 runs in the first innings.
The batting unit had a tough time in the second T20I in Gqeberha and needed something special in the third game. Except for Tilak, all the other batters struggled to get going as Suryakumar Yadav scored only 1 while Hardik Pandya made 18 and Rinku Singh scored eight runs off 13 balls. Tilak’s innings hence were extremely vital, else the Men in Blue could have struggled once again.
Meanwhile, after the innings, Tilak revealed that he felt good to be getting the runs, especially after an injury. He added that the wicket was two-paced and it was challenging to bat on early on.
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“Incredible feeling to get this coming back from injury. The wicket was two-paced, and challenging at the start. After some time it went well. I was holding my shape while playing the shots. We both (him and Abhishek Sharma) were under pressure. Today’s knocks are important for us. Our spinners are bowling well. 200-210 is what we were looking for and we got it. Hopefully, we can defend this,” Tilak said after the innings.
Here’s how X reacted to Tilak’s terrific ton:
Tilak you biscuit. That’s a stunning innings with the chips down. Result doesn’t matter. Love Khabaas. Translation. Lefties. @TilakV9 #SAvsIND #Tilak @YUVSTRONG12 @ImRaina pic.twitter.com/CoWNMLDxLt
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) November 13, 2024
Pehle Sharma ji ka ladka 💪 ab varma ji ka ladka 🫡 well played bro @TilakV9 🇮🇳 #IndvsSA pic.twitter.com/U5THFfirOM
— Yuzvendra Chahal (@yuzi_chahal) November 13, 2024
CENTURION! Well played and congratulations on maiden T20I ton @TilakV9, top knock 👏🏻 #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/JOyfJnVFWP
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) November 13, 2024
Century Ka Tilak. Solid 💯 on South African soil by Varma.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) November 13, 2024
Take a bow, Tilak Varma! 🙌💯
Maiden T20 century for him – 100 runs off just 51 balls! 🔥💥
He smashed 8 fours and 6 sixes! 🏏🎯#indvssat20 #INDvSA #SAvsIND #TilakVerma pic.twitter.com/U2Ib4nprsy
— Shivam Shukla (@imshiv58) November 13, 2024
– 5 Hundreds by Rohit Sharma.
– 4 Hundreds by Suryakumar Yadav.
– 1 Hundred by Tilak Varma.
MUMBAI INDIANS HERITAGE 🚀 pic.twitter.com/yCwtKgLNTJ
— ASHER. (@ASHUTOSHAB10731) November 13, 2024
Tilak Verma scores his first T20 century in international cricket, hammering South African bowlers
Tilak Varma pic.twitter.com/fgpjtoiHRz
— AhSan Azad Iraqui (@AzadIraqui) November 13, 2024
Tilak Varma played an outstanding innings, showing incredible skill and composure on the field.
🚀 His century was a true display of talent, timing, and precision, as he navigated the bowlers with ease and confidence. Every shot he played showcased his determination and ability… pic.twitter.com/mQr12DjyDj
— Eagle Eye🦅 (@DeshiProfessor_) November 13, 2024
MAIDEN INTERNATIONAL CENTURY IN STYLE 💥#TilakVarma 🔥#INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/ZMWk7KLG7l
— Akshay (@Akshayk_2255) November 13, 2024
HUNDRED FOR TILAK VARMA…!!!!#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/P3qmp2lYL7
— 🔱 జై తెలంగాణ ✊ (@JAI__TELANGANA_) November 13, 2024
HUNDRED FOR TILAK VARMA…!!!!#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/P3qmp2lYL7
— 🔱 జై తెలంగాణ ✊ (@JAI__TELANGANA_) November 13, 2024
-Tilak Varma reaches his first international hundred in style, striking a sensational 100 off 51 balls….!!!#tilakvarma #SAvIND #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/565vyO9Xbi
— Akr_Cric (@Akr_cric) November 13, 2024