In a thrilling performance during the third T20I between India and South Africa, young Indian batter Tilak Varma achieved a major milestone by scoring his maiden T20I century at SuperSport Park, Centurion. Batting at just 22 years and 5 days, Tilak became India’s second centurion in T20I cricket and the 12th Indian to reach the milestone overall. His explosive innings helped India achieve their highest-ever T20I score against South Africa, setting a daunting total of 219/6.
Tilak’s knock of 107* off 56 balls was marked by a skillful blend of powerful hitting and smart shot selection. Coming in to bat early after Sanju Samson was dismissed for a duck on the second ball, Tilak quickly found his rhythm, hitting a boundary off his second ball and soon following it up with the first of his seven sixes. He partnered with Abhishek Sharma in a dynamic 107-run stand, with Abhishek hammering a quick 50 off 25 balls. While Abhishek initially took the aggressive role, Tilak showed his power-hitting prowess during the powerplay.
Following the dismissals of Abhishek, captain Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya, Tilak strategically paced his innings, setting himself up for an explosive finish. He reignited India’s momentum with a strong over against Keshav Maharaj and a 21-run over against Gerald Coetzee, demonstrating his ability to manipulate the field and dominate the bowling. Tilak reached his century with a graceful boundary down the ground in the 19th over, showcasing his diverse shot-making ability rather than relying solely on brute force.
With 8 fours and 7 sixes, Tilak’s century not only boosted India’s total but also set a new T20I record, breaking a milestone previously held by a Pakistani batter. His century makes him the second youngest Indian to reach this feat after Yashasvi Jaiswal. This remarkable knock further cements Tilak Varma’s position as one of India’s most promising young talents in the T20I format.
Youngest to score T20I centuries for India:
- 21y 279d Yashasvi Jaiswal 100 vs Nepal Hangzhou 2023
- 22y 5d Tilak Varma 100* vs SA Centurion 2024
- 23y 146d Shubman Gill 126* vs NZ Ahmedabad 2023
- 23y 156d Suresh Raina 101 vs SA Gros Islet 2010
Tilak Varma played a crucial innings, anchoring India’s score as they looked to post a competitive total. Later in the innings, debutant Ramandeep Singh added valuable support with a quick cameo, enabling India to comfortably surpass the 200-run mark. Varma’s performance will be pivotal in India’s effort to secure a win, which would keep them in contention in the 4-match series and prevent a potential series loss. This collective effort highlights India’s depth and adaptability in a challenging series.
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