Credits: BCCI/X
India’s newest young sensation Tilak Varma recorded his maiden century in the shortest format in the third T20I vs South Africa. Varma came up with the knock during the third game of the four-match T20I series against the Proteas at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on Wednesday, November 13. The game started with the hosts winning the toss and inviting the guests to put up score on the board first.
India received their first setback on the second ball into the innings when Sanju Samson was dismissed off a Marco Jansen delivery. Following his departure, another opener Abhishek Sharma and Varma held their nerves and came up with fiery knocks to give the side some stability. While Sharma came up with a remarkable fifty, Varma touched the triple-figure mark in just 51 balls. Owing to his knock, which included eight fours and seven sixes, India were able to post 219 runs with the loss of six wickets by the end of 20 overs.
Incredible feeling to get this coming back from injury: Tilak Varma
During the mid-innings break, Varma reflected upon his knock and called it an ‘incredible feeling’. Varma had built a 52-ball 107-run stand with fellow lefty Abhishek Sharma to get India to 100 runs in just 8.1 overs. Not only this, but Tilak also built a 58-run stand in just 30 balls for the fifth wicket. Varma shouldered the responsibility and contributed 45 runs in the partnership.
The 22-year-old said, “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.”
