Tilak Varma has been hogging the limelight with his stupendous batting performances in the T20I format. In the 2nd T20I between India and England, Tilak Varma batted exceedingly well and single-handedly won the game for India.
India were in a spot of bother as wickets kept tumbling from one end. But the southpaw stitched an extraordinary innings of 72* runs in 55 deliveries. Surya Kumar Yadav and co. defeated England by a narrow margin of 2 wickets in this game.
Former Indian batter and now-turned cricket pundit Ambati Rayudu heaped praise on the Hyderabadi cricketer and labelled him as a ‘superstar’.
“He is a superstar cricketer and I have seen him grow in Hyderabad. He has played four extraordinary knocks. Since Suryakumar Yadav has become the captain, the confidence he has been given and the trust that has been shown in him, he is paying him back fully,” said Ambati Rayudu in an interaction on Star Sports.
“I feel India have got a huge superstar and he can become an all-format player. It’s not that he is only a T20 player. Considering the maturity he showed today (Saturday), he has the ability to be a match-winner for India for many years. So I feel he should be backed in every format,” he added.
Ambati Rayudu further said that England’s tactic of bowling short balls to him didn’t work and he timed and placed the ball, extremely well.
“England came with a plan that they would bowl short against Tilak Varma, wouldn’t give him room, and make him play the pull shot towards fine leg. However, Tilak Varma had all the answers. He used the pace very well. Angles are extremely important in batting. He was hitting the balls wherever he wanted using the pace. He batted exceptionally with the right approach and execution, and I don’t think England will again try to bowl like this,” he added.
India next lock horns with England in Rajkot
After successful victories in Kolkata and Chennai, the Indian juggernaut move on to Rajkot to play the 3rd T20I on 28th January 2024. The 3rd T20I will be played at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot.
The pitch is expected to be a tad bit greener with grass coverings on it. Hence, the pacers can get purchase out of it. It is also expected to be a good batting track and the likes of Surya Kumar Yadav, Abhishek Sharma, Harry Brook and Jos Buttler will be key players to watch out for.
