India’s rookie batter Tilak Varma gave credit to captain Suryakumar Yadav for giving him the batting promotion in the third T20I against South Africa at the SuperSport Park, Centurion, which the visitors won by 11 runs to take an impregnable lead of 2-1 in the four-match series.

Varma joined forces with Abhishek Sharma after opener Sanju Samson was dismissed for a blob. The left-hander was able to hit the ground running as he smashed 12 runs off the first four balls he faced against Marco Jansen.

Varma added 107 runs with Abhishek Sharma, who scored a 25-ball 50 to get back into form. The 22-year-old scored a fine knock of 107 runs off just 56 balls with the help of eight fours and seven sixes. 

The youngster did slow down a bit when Abhishek Sharma was dismissed but changed gears as he took the attack against Keshav Maharaj in spinner’s last over. Varma’s maiden century helped India in posting a par score of 219 runs on the board after they were put into bat by South African captain Aiden Markram.

Tilak Varma said in the post-match presentation after he was awarded Player of the Match, “I cannot put it in words. It was my dream to play for the country and the hundred came at the right time when the team needed it. All credit to Mr. Suryakumar Yadav, our captain. He gave me the opportunity to bat at 3 and told me to express myself. Thanks to him again (turns back at SKY and smiles). I just backed my basics. Pitch was two paced to start with and it wasn’t easy for the new batters coming in when Abhishek got out. I was ready to bat long and was waiting for one partnership.”

Varma also copped a blow to his head in the final over while attempting Marco Jansen’s catch at the deep cover boundary. 

Providing an update on it, “I am okay. It was a difficult chance but I am happy we won the game.”

The fourth T20I between India and South Africa will be played at the The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg on Friday.