Indian cricket sensation Tilak Varma has been in outstanding form, showcasing his talent with a spectacular performance in the second T20I of the ongoing five-match series against England.
In a nail-biting encounter at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, the 22-year-old batter played a match-winning knock, leading India to a narrow two-wicket victory over the visitors. Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik, known for his wit and humour, jokingly requested Tilak, who represents Mumbai Indians (MI) in the IPL, to “be nice” against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in future matches, lightheartedly asking him not to play such brilliant innings against his team.
Tilak’s scintillating 72* off 55 balls was the backbone of India’s chase in the second T20I. With 4 fours and five sixes, his composed yet aggressive innings steered India through a tense chase to defeat England by a mere two wickets. The young batter’s performance was a testament to his growing stature in international cricket, especially in the T20 format, as he held his nerve when it mattered most.
Dinesh Karthik’s playful advice to Tilak
The former wicketkeeper-batter Karthik who represented RCB in the IPL and appointed as the team’s batting coach praised Tilak’s performance, highlighting his excellent understanding of the game and wishing him continued growth. He also humorously requested Tilak to be kind to RCB, as he often performs well against them.
“Brilliant innings, great understanding of what the situation required. Hats off to him. Really like him as a player. I just wish he grows from strength to strength. Be nice against RCB, Tilak. He always does well against us,” Karthik said on Cricbuzz
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Additionally, Tilak has already proven himself as a formidable opponent in the IPL, particularly against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). His highest IPL score of 84 runs off just 46 balls, which included nine fours and four sixes, came in a spectacular innings against RCB. In total, Tilak has faced RCB three times in his career, accumulating 100 runs.
Tilak’s record-breaking streak in T20Is
Tilak’s 72 not out in the second T20I against England added another feather to his cap. The innings marked a new record for the most runs scored between two dismissals in T20I cricket among full-member nations. Since his dismissal for a mere 20 runs against South Africa in the second match of the T20I series in November 2024 at Gqeberha, the left handed batter has been in stunning form. His subsequent unbeaten scores include 107*, 120*, 19*, and 72*, amassing a total of 318 runs across four innings. This remarkable streak has surpassed the previous record of 271 runs held by New Zealand’s Mark Chapman in 2023, cementing Tilak’s reputation as one of the most consistent performers in T20I cricket in recent times.