Tilak Varma goes past Virat Kohli, scripts new world record during IND vs ENG 2nd T20I in Chennai

Tilak Varma single-handedly took India home in the second T20I against England in Chennai. Coming in at No.3, the left-hander scored 72 not out off 55 balls and hit the winning runs with four balls to spare.

Koushik Paul
Updated26 Jan 2025, 09:49 AM IST
India's Tilak Varma celebrates after hitting the winning runs against England in the second T20I in Chennai.
India’s Tilak Varma celebrates after hitting the winning runs against England in the second T20I in Chennai. (REUTERS)

Tilak Varma scripted history in Chennai on Saturday as he guided India to a thrilling two-wicket victory over England in the second T20I at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Chasing 166 runs to win, India were seven down for 126 in the 15th over but Tilak Varma kept his cool to guide the Men in Blue home with four balls to spare and take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

During his stay at the crease, the southpaw remained unbeaten at 72 off 55 balls, which included four fours and five mind-boggling sixes. In the process, Tilak Varma broke a few records and extended his unbeaten run in the shortest format to four consecutive matches.

Also Read | ‘He said whatever…’: Tilak recalls Gambhir’s golden words after Chennai heroics

In his last four innings, Tilak Varma scored 107 not out, 120 not out, 19 not out and 72 not out, thus becoming the first batter in the world to amass 300-plus T20I runs without getting dismissed, bettering New Zealand's Mark Chapman.

Top 5 batters with most T20I runs between 2 dismissals

318 (107*, 120*, 19*, 72*) - Tilak Varma (India)

271 (65*, 16*, 71*, 104*, 15) - Mark Chapman (New Zealand)

240 (68*, 172) - Aaron Finch (Australia)

240 (57*, 74*, 73*, 36) - Shreyas Iyer (India)

239 (100*, 60*, 57*, 2*, 20) - David Warner (Australia)

That's not all. Tilak Varma also broke Virat Kohli's record for most runs by an Indian batter in T20Is across four innings. The former India captain, who retired from T20Is last year, had scored 258 runs (72 not out, 77, 66, 43) in the 2014-2015 season. The Tilak-Virat duo is followed by Sanju Samson (257), Rohit Sharma (253), and Shikhar Dhawan (252).

Also Read | IND vs ENG 2nd T20I LIVE Score: Tilak Varma’s 55-ball 72 takes India home

After Chennai win, the Indian bandwagon will travel to Rajkot where they will play the third T20I against England. A win there will secure the series for the Men in Blue and extend Gautam Gambhir's unbeaten record as a head coach in the shortest format.

 

Catch all the Sports News and Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.

Business NewsSportsCricket NewsTilak Varma goes past Virat Kohli, scripts new world record during IND vs ENG 2nd T20I in Chennai
MoreLess
First Published:26 Jan 2025, 09:46 AM IST