Tilak Varma becomes second-youngest Indian to slam a T20I fifty
Youngster Tilak Varma turned out to be India's top-scorer in the 2nd T20I against West Indies at the Providence Stadium, Guyana. Playing just his second international game, Tilak smashed a 41-ball 51 after India suffered another top-order collapse. In the process, he became the second-youngest Indian to score a fifty in T20 Internationals. Courtesy of his half-century, India reached 152/7 in 20 overs.
Tilak slams his maiden T20I fifty
Tilak, who was impressive on his international debut, continued his terrific run. He came to the middle after India were reduced to 18/2. The left-handed batter started punishing the bowlers after settling down. Tilak finally reached his maiden T20I half-century in the 15th over. In the next over, Obed McCoy dismissed him for 51(41), a knock laced with 5 fours and 1 six.
Tilak enters this elite list
At 20 years and 271 days, Tilak has become the second-youngest Indian to score a T20I half-century. He is only behind India's ODI and Test skipper, Rohit Sharma, who achieved this feat in his maiden T20I innings (50* vs SA, T20 World Cup 2007). Overall (India Men or Women), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Punam Raut are ahead of Tilak.
Tilak shone on his T20I debut
Tilak was India's best batter in the series opener as well, his debut in the format. He was the only Indian batter to score over 30 as the visitors lost by four runs.
Tilak's IPL exploits
Tilak emerged as one of the brightest talents in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. His blade did the talking even though Mumbai Indians crashed out of the tournament. Tilak, who represented India in the 2022 Under-19 World Cup, was picked by MI in the IPL 2022 auction. He smashed 393 runs at 36.09 that year and followed it up with 343 runs in 2023.
