Tilak Varma, who set a record with his outstanding batting in T20 cricket, is being hailed as someone who can excel in all formats of the game.
Indian cricket has never been short of talent, and with the arrival of new stars, Tilak Varma’s brilliance has captured everyone’s attention. Former Indian batsman Ambati Rayudu believes that Tilak is not just a star, but a “superstar.” He sees the young batsman, who has impressed in T20 cricket, as someone who can be effective across all formats.
Tilak had already caught the eye in age-group cricket and the IPL, which led to his retention by Mumbai Indians at a hefty price. But it is in international cricket where he has truly showcased his skills recently.
Last November, during the South Africa tour, Tilak played a brilliant unbeaten knock of 107 runs from 56 balls, including seven sixes, in the third T20. In the next match, he followed it up with another explosive century—120 not out from 47 balls, including 10 sixes.
After that series, during the ongoing T20 series against England, Tilak contributed a crucial 19 not out off 16 balls to seal a win for India. Then, on Saturday in Chennai, he played a match-winning knock of 72 not out off 55 balls to guide India to victory.
In this journey, the 22-year-old batsman has etched his name in the record books, setting a world record for the most consecutive runs in international T20 cricket without being dismissed. In this undefeated streak, he has scored 318 runs from 174 balls, including 22 sixes and 24 fours.
Previously, the record for the most runs between two dismissals in T20 cricket was held by New Zealand’s Mark Chapman (271).
Tilak’s batting has left the entire Indian cricketing fraternity in awe. Speaking on Star Sports, Ambati Rayudu said that the young talent can be a mainstay in all formats of Indian cricket.
“I think India has found a massive superstar. He can become a batsman for all formats. He’s not just a T20 batsman. The maturity he showed in this match (against England in the second T20), he has the ability to win matches for India for years to come. He should be trusted across all formats,” Rayudu said.
Tilak has already shown signs of becoming a great all-format batsman in domestic cricket. The Hyderabad batsman has played 18 first-class matches, scoring five centuries, with an average of over 50. In List-A cricket, he has scored five centuries in 35 innings, with a strike rate close to 95 and an average of 48.
In T20 cricket, Tilak has accumulated almost 3,000 runs in 100 matches, including 4 centuries and 19 fifties. His average is 46.09, with a strike rate of 147.63.
Before the South Africa tour last November, Tilak approached Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, expressing his desire to bat at number three. Suryakumar made way for him, moving down the order to give Tilak the opportunity.
Rayudu credits Suryakumar’s leadership for Tilak’s rise.
“Tilak is already a superstar, and I’ve seen him grow in Hyderabad. He’s played four remarkable innings recently. Since Suryakumar became captain, the faith he’s shown in Tilak, the confidence he’s given him, is being repaid,” Rayudu concluded.
