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Tilak Varma Stuns in Comeback, Credits Crowd After T20 WC Warm-Up Heroics

Tilak Varma made a spectacular return from a testicular injury, playing a blistering innings of 45 runs from just 19 balls in India's warm-up match against South Africa. He expressed surprise and gratitude for the overwhelming crowd support that greeted him upon entering the field. Varma credited the BCCI's Centre of Excellence for his rapid recovery and stated playing in the World Cup is a dream come true. The young batter is poised to take on the crucial number four position for India as they begin their T20 World Cup title defense.

Key Points: Tilak Varma on Comeback, Crowd Support Ahead of T20 World Cup

  • Stunning comeback from injury
  • Blazing 45 off 19 balls in warm-up
  • Credits BCCI and CoE for recovery
  • Aiming to fill Virat Kohli's role
  • Inspired by teammates' intent
3 min read

"I didn't expect crowd shouting my name": Tilak Varma after T20 WC warm-up game vs South Africa

Tilak Varma returns from injury with a blazing 45* off 19 balls vs SA. He shares his surprise at the crowd's support and readiness for the T20 World Cup.

"I did not expect that, so it felt really nice and gave me a boost as I was going in. - Tilak Varma"

Navi Mumbai, February 5

The Men in Blue defeated South Africa by 30 runs in their solitary warm-up game on Wednesday before the T20 World Cup title defence starts off against the USA from Saturday.

Tilak Varma was one of the star performers of the night, scoring 45 runs in 19 balls with a splendid strike rate of 236.84 before being dismissed by Marco Jansen on the last ball of the 11th over.

He recently suffered a testicular injury and underwent successful surgery, and was recovering at BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE). His return has been great so far, scoring 34 of 28 balls against the USA in the first warm-up match for India A and a stunning innings of 45 of 19 balls at a blitzing strike rate of 236.84 vs the Proteas, with three fours and sixes each.

Tilak did not expect a full recovery this quickly and credited BCCI and CoE for it, adding that it is a dream come true for him to play in the World Cup. He was amazed by the crowd's response towards him and is looking forward to playing the World Cup and contributing his part to help the indian team lift the T20 World Cup trophy for a record third time, inspired by the intent shown by a red-hot Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma.

"I did not expect to be back on the field this early. Really thankful for CoE and bcci. I always said that my biggest dream is to play the World Cup. The way I entered the rope, everyone was shouting my name. I did not expect that, so it felt really nice and gave me a boost as I was going in. The way Ishan and Abhishek were batting, I decided to play aggressively. I did not expect a full crowd. It's just a warm-up game, but the craze is amazing and really thanks to everyone. The vibe was terrific today, and Tilak and Indian team is ready for the World Cup," said Tilak as per a video posted on BCCI's channel.

Tilak has to fill the massive shoes of Virat Kohli at the crucial number four position, which the run machine occupied for more than a decade, and in his small sample size, he has been really fine. In the 15 T20I matches at number three, he has scored 542 runs with a brilliant average of 60.22 and a splendid strike rate of 160.83. He has hit 2 centuries and three fifties so far, with both tons coming in the series against South Africa on their home conditions.

The Indian team is in red-hot form in T20Is; the reigning champions have won all bilateral T20I series and the Asia Cup since their 2024 T20 World Cup victory. The Blues will enter the World Cup as favourites. They will kick off their campaign against the USA on Saturday at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
His humility is so refreshing. "I didn't expect that" – you can tell he's genuinely surprised by the love. That strike rate of 236 is just insane for a warm-up game. The crowd at Wankhede is going to be electric on Saturday!
V
Vikram M
Stats don't lie – average of 60 at number 3 is world class. But let's be real, a warm-up game and a World Cup match are different planets. Hope the team management gives him a long rope and doesn't drop him after one failure. We need to back our young talent.
P
Priya S
So happy for him! After the surgery, this must feel amazing. The way he thanked BCCI and CoE shows good character. And the fact that a *warm-up* game had a full crowd... only in India! 🇮🇳 Cricket is not just a sport here, it's an emotion.
R
Rohit P
Good performance, but let's not get carried away. South Africa wasn't at full strength. The real test begins now. He has to consistently deliver under pressure. That said, the intent is fantastic and exactly what we need in T20s.
K
Kavya N
The batting lineup with Ishan, Abhishek, and now Tilak in form looks deadly! They're all young, fearless, and play with such freedom. This is a new era for Indian T20 cricket. Can't wait for Saturday! #MenInBlue

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