Tilak Varma, along with opener Sanju Samson, had simply bullied the South African bowling attack at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Friday. Their whirlwind unbroken 210-run stand had done three-fourth of the job India needed to do in their bid to win their final T20I series of 2024.
But more than that, the duo have done well to firm up India's options in the shortest format, especially with seniors Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retiring from T20I cricket following this year's T20 World Cup. Even if Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill and the like aren't available, Samson and Verma have proved they are quite capable of delivering. That too, in conditions they aren't very familiar with.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav, too, acknowledged the options India have now in terms of their batting in T20Is. "I think it says a lot about how strong the base of Indian cricket is.
"Guys playing a lot of domestic cricket for their respective states, guys wanting to go back and play for their states speak a lot about their urge to play for their state, deliver and keep that run going. Having 20-25 players in the squad and needing to pick 11 is a challenge, but it’s a great situation for any team," Surya said at the news conference after India's 135-run win at the Wanderers.
For Tilak, scoring two centuries in an overseas series was an "unbelievable feeling". "It's unbelievable... Can’t imagine scoring back-to-back hundreds. That too in South Africa," Tilak said.
Asked whether he would look to bat at No.3 going forward, the left-hander said: "It's not in my hands. I got the opportunity from Suryabhai, and whatever the team needs, I'll try to fulfil it.
"I love playing at No.3, but I’m ready for any kind of role,” Tilak emphasised.
To go by Surya's words, Tilak may be given a longer run at No.3 just like Virat Kohli has been in the 50-over format. "It was actually running in my mind that there has been a time when one man has batted consistently at No.3 and done wonders for India.
"So, this was a perfect opportunity for a young guy like him showing a lot of promise. We both actually spoke to each other and he took up the responsibility and just walked the talk.
"The way he batted in Centurion and then here was incredible," Surya explained.
