Tilak Varma created history during the third T20I against South Africa in Dharamsala. has been a stellar performer for India in T20I cricket.
In 39 T20I matches, he has already scored 1009 runs at an average of 48 and a strike rate of 143. On Sunday, Varma played a knock of 25 not out as India defeated the Proteas by seven wickets to take a 2-1 lead.
During his stay at the crease, Varma broke a long-standing record of . Tilak now holds the best average among all batters in T20I run chases. The southpaw now averages 68 in T20I cricket (minimum 500 runs), overtaking Virat Kohli, who previously topped the charts among batters from Test-playing nations, with an average of 67.1. So far, Tilak has scored 543 runs in 16 T20Is in run chases. Kohli, on the other hand, amassed 2013 runs in 48 T20Is.
Highest Average In T20I Run Chase (Min. 500 Runs)
- Tilak Varma – 68
- Virat Kohli– 67.1
- MS Dhoni-47.71
- JP Duminy – 45.55
- Kumar Sangakkara – 44.93
Tilak also broke the record of the highest average by an Indian batsman against a team in T20I cricket. He averages 70.50 against South Africa, now better than 70.28 by Virat Kohli against Pakistan. The fact that 468 of Tilak’s total runs have come while batting at No.3, that too at a strike rate of nearly 167, including two centuries, tells the impact he has had on the Indian team.
Highest Average Against A Team In T20Is (Min. 300 Runs)
- 70.50 – Tilak Varma vs SA
- 70.28 – Virat Kohli vs PAK
- 67.8 – Virat Kohli vs SL
- 58.83 – KL Rahul vs WI
- 57.0 – Virat Kohli vs WI
Tilak has shown great form in the series. With 113 runs in three games, Tilak is the leading run scorer of the series, with a best score of 62 in the second T20I in Mullanpur.