Tilak Varma’s journey in Indian cricket has been fast, but Sunday night in Dharamshala marked a moment that truly set him apart. At just 23, the left-hander achieved something many would consider unthinkable-he went past Virat Kohli, broke Kohli’s record to become the batter with the highest average in T20I run chases in the world.
Batting at No.3 in the third T20I against South Africa, Tilak did not play a flashy innings. His unbeaten 25 off 34 balls had only three boundaries, but it did exactly what the team needed. India chased down a small target of 118 with ease, finishing the game in 15.5 overs. Quiet on the surface, the knock carried huge meaning underneath.
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Tilak Varme's power-packed innings
That innings pushed Tilak’s numbers into the elite class. His average against South Africa in T20Is now stands at 70.50, the highest by an Indian batter against any opponent, going past Virat Kohli’s 70.28 against Pakistan. More importantly, Tilak now averages 68.0 in T20I run chases, overtaking Kohli’s long-standing mark of 67.1 and placing him at the top among batters from Test-playing nations.
Much like Kohli in his prime, Tilak has shown a special calmness while batting second. In 16 T20I chases so far, he has scored 543 runs, with a highest score of 72 not out. His ability to absorb pressure and guide the team home has quickly become his biggest strength.
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Varma's impact
Tilak’s numbers at No.3 further highlight his impact. In that role, he has scored 468 runs in 14 innings at an average of 58.5 and a strike rate of 160.27, including two hundreds and two fifties- this is a rare balance of control and aggression in T20 cricket.
The ongoing South Africa series has only added to his growing reputation. Tilak has already scored 113 runs in three matches, including a fluent 62 off 34 balls in the second T20I.
Overall, Tilak Varma now has 1,110 runs from 39 T20Is at an average of 48.26. At 23, he is not just delivering performances; he is quietly redefining what consistency in T20 run chases looks like for India.
