"Pehle sharma ji ka ladka, ab verma ji ka" - Fans and pundits react as Tilak Varma notches his maiden international century during IND vs SA 3rd T20I
India batter Tilak Varma got down to business from the word go after walking out to bat in the first over of the first innings during the third T20I between India and South Africa. The two sides faced each other at SuperSport Park in Centurion, with the four-match series tied at 1-1.
India’s start to the game was worrisome as Sanju Samson was dismissed for a duck for the second consecutive time this series. But what followed next was absolute carnage by Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma, who shared a massive 107-run partnership for the second wicket.
While Abhishek Sharma walked back to the pavilion after scoring a blistering half-century, Varma kept going and scored 107* off 56 balls. He anchored the innings brilliantly even after losing four partners on the other end as Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Rinku Singh couldn’t make much of an impact.
Tilak Varma held the innings together from one end and kept the scorecard ticking. Fans on X were impressed as the 22-year-old went all guns blazing.
Here are a few reactions:
"CENTURION! Well played and congratulations on maiden T20I ton @TilakV9, top knock," said former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer.
"Today Tilak Varma's bat is saying that you throw the ball and I will hit a six," stated a fan.
"Now i found the reason why Mumbai Indians Retain him. What a Player Tilak Varma," exclaimed a fan.
"Tilak Varma's brilliant debut hundred showcases his immense talent and potential! He's been a game-changer, displaying maturity beyond his years with powerful shots and excellent composure. This knock highlights his readiness to make a mark at the highest level and will surely be," wrote a fan.
"Century in T20! Pure class from the star boy. An absolutely scintillating batting display from young Tilak Varma," wrote another.
India post 220-run target as Varma scores an unbeaten ton
Courtesy of Abhishek Sharma’s half-century and Tilak Varma’s unbeaten hundred, the Men in Blue finished at 219/6. While no other batter could score over 20 runs, the two top-order batters’ scintillating knocks helped India get a respectable, and potentially winning, total.
India suffered an early blow when Samson was dismissed for a duck off the game’s second delivery. But Abhishek and Varma anchored the innings brilliantly and made the most of the conditions on offer.
While Abhishek made a comeback and virtually secured his place in the team’s XI for the final T20I, Varma proved his worth in the top order as the Indian team currently experiences a transition period after some top players’ retirements.