Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav has revealed that Tilak Varma wanted to bat at number three in the third T20I against South Africa at the SuperSport Park, Centurion, which the visitors won by 11 runs. Yadav disclosed that Varma came to his room at Gqeberha and requested a batting promotion.
Varma was able to grab his opportunity with both hands after Sanju Samson was dismissed without troubling the scorers again. The left-hander was able to get off the blocks in a jiffy, smashing 12 runs on the first four balls he faced against Marco Jansen despite the fall of an early wicket.
The 22-year-old youngster added a fine alliance of 107 runs with Abhishek Sharma, who scored an attacking knock of 50 runs off just 25 balls. Varma scored an unbeaten knock of 107 runs off just 56 balls with the help of eight fours and seven sixes as he timed the ball to perfection.
The southpaw’s maiden T20I century helped India to post a par score of 219 runs on the board after they were put into bat.
Suryakumar Yadav said in the post-match presentation, “Very happy. What we spoke about in the team meeting, we played the brand of cricket we discussed. That’s what we have been telling them to do. They do that for the franchise, they do that in the nets. Very happy with the way things are going. Aggression and intent is always not about talking. They have made my job easier when I see them bat like that. I feel we are in the right direction. First time we were 6-7 minutes ahead on the field.
Speaking on Tilak Varma, SKY said, “He came to my room at Gqeberha and said give me a chance at No. 3, I want to do well and I said go out there and express yourself. He asked for it and he delivered. Very happy for him and his family.”
The fourth T20I between India and South Africa will be played at the Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg on Friday.
