The 22 year old Tilak Varma has successfully made a case for the number three batting position after being given the opportunity in the last two T20Is of the series in South Africa.
The talented batsman dominated the statistics of the series, amassing 280 runs over four innings at a staggering average of 140.00 and a remarkable strike rate of 198.58 with 21 fours and 20 sixes while scoring in the last two games that helped India , scored two consecutive centuries to secure a 3-1 series win.
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Below Virat KohliFollowing his retirement after the T20 World Cup in June this year, there were several contenders for the critical number three position. The team management had earlier tested Rishabh Pant in this role during the T20 World Cup, which proved unsuccessful.
Subsequently, the position was filled by various players including Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samsonin front of captain Suryakumar Yadav took responsibility.
When asked if he would like to stay at No.3 in the future, 'Player of the Series' Varma said: 'It's out of my hands. I got the chance from Surya Bhai and whatever the team needs, I will try to fulfill it. “I love playing at No. 3 but am ready for any role.”
Captain Surya sacrificed his place for the youngster.
“It actually occurred to me that there was a time when a man batted consistently at No. 3 and did wonders for India,” Surya told reporters after India beat South Africa by 135 runs in Johannesburg on Friday had thus won the series.
“So this was a perfect opportunity for a young man, definitely for him, who has promise. We both actually talked to each other and he took responsibility. He simply followed up his words with actions. The way he fought at SuperSport Park and here was incredible. I hope he continues, not just in T20s but in all formats,” the captain added.
India showcased their batting prowess by scoring an impressive 283 for 1 in the fourth T20I, the fifth-highest total in men's T20 internationals.
Tilak remained unbeaten with a spectacular 120 off 47 balls while Sanju Samson, who had earlier registered two ducks in a row after a century in the first T20I, came back brilliantly with an unbeaten 109 off 56 balls to score his third century in the last five matches.
The duo established a record-breaking second-wicket partnership for India in T20 Internationals, collecting 210 runs from 86 deliveries.
“Even before (winning) the T20I World Cup, we played a few T20Is. We talked about what brand and what kind.” cricket “We wanted to play forward,” said Surya.
“We play IPL for different franchises but when we come together we wanted to do the same thing we did for our franchise, be on the same page and play a different brand of cricket. After the T20 World Cup, we just followed the same thing we did there.
The T20I captain praised the strength and skill of the Indian talent pool and the eagerness of the young players to improve by playing in the domestic circuit.
“I think it says a lot about how strong the grassroots of Indian cricket is. Guys who play a lot of domestic cricket for their respective states. Guys wanting to go back and play for their states, that says a lot about their drive to play for their state, deliver and keep that run,” Surya said.
The captain acknowledged the selection dilemma posed by Samson's impressive performances as an opener, especially considering the eventual returns of Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal. He sees the situation of having multiple talented options as a positive challenge for team management.
“I didn’t think that far ahead. I like to live in the moment because this is a special win, a special series win,” he said. “When they come back, we will discuss it calmly. It's going to be tough, but it's a good headache for the future. Having 20-25 players in the squad and having to select 11 is a challenge but it is a great situation. “For any team, we will see that the team management, selection and BCCI will not face any problem at all.
