Team India T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav revealed that Tilak Varma’s promotion to the No. 3 batting position was a decision sparked by the youngster’s own request.
After struggling to convert starts while batting at No. 4, Tilak approached Suryakumar following India’s loss in the second T20I in Gqeberha, asking for a chance higher in the order. The decision paid dividends as Tilak smashed an unbeaten 107 off 56 deliveries in the third T20I, helping India secure an 11-run victory and a 2-1 series lead.
“What more can I say about Tilak Varma?” Suryakumar said during the post-match presentation. “He came to my room at Gqeberha and said, ‘Give me a chance at No. 3, I want to do well,’ and I said go out there and express yourself. He asked for it and he delivered. Very happy for him and his family.”
Tilak’s promotion filled a crucial void in India’s batting order, previously occupied by Virat Kohli and, more recently, Rishabh Pant during the 2024 T20 World Cup. Since Kohli’s retirement from T20Is, India has experimented with several players, including Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar himself, and Sanju Samson, to find stability at No. 3.
Tilak, who has batted in multiple positions during his brief international career, seized his opportunity in the advanced role. After walking in during the first over, he partnered with Abhishek Sharma to dominate the powerplay. The duo’s sparkling stand set the tone for India’s total of 219-6, with Tilak anchoring the innings after Abhishek’s dismissal in the ninth over.
Tilak credited his captain for the chance and faith. “All credit goes to captain Suryakumar Yadav. Before the game, he said that I am capable of batting at No. 3, and he will shift to No. 4. I just wanted to express myself and back my basics,” he said.
The left-hander’s scintillating innings, which included powerful strokes and clever placement, held the Indian innings together as other batters struggled. His unbeaten century marked his first in T20 internationals and cemented his position as a strong contender for India’s long-term No. 3 batter.
The Men in Blue now head to Johannesburg for the fourth and final T20I on November 15, aiming to seal the series. With a 2-1 lead and Tilak’s confidence soaring, India will look to close out the series in style.
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