Mumbai Indians’ youngster Tilak Varma played a scintillating knock in the side’s 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), as he remained unbeaten on 84 off just 46 deliveries to help MI reach a good total of 171/7 in 20 overs. The franchise had a weak start to the innings with MI losing 4 wickets within merely 48 runs, with the side’s entire top-order – Ishan Kishan, Rohit Sharma, Cameron Green, and Suryakumar Yadav departing cheaply.
However, Tilak Varma held one end and produced a remarkable performance with the bat, smashing nine fours and four sixes during his stunning unbeaten knock at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
WATCH – Netizens Were Unhappy As Mohammed Siraj And Dinesh Karthik Dropped A Sitter
In the final over of the MI innings against Harshal Patel, Tilak Varma smashed a couple of sixes and a four in the final five deliveries; on the last ball of the innings, Tilak produced a stunning helicopter shot – dispatching the delivery towards long-on.
Here is the video of the shot from Tilak Varma:
Earlier, RCB captain Faf du Plessis had won the toss and opted to bowl in Bengaluru. RCB bowlers had reduced MI to 20 for three in 5.2 overs but Tilak Varma played a lone hand, adding 50 and 48 with Nehal Wadhera (21) and Arshad Khan (15 not out) for the fifth and eighth wickets respectively.
Earlier, Ishan Kishan smashed a couple of fours before being removed by Mohammed Siraj with an outswinger, while Cameron Green was dismissed by Recce Topley, who took his first IPL wicket.
WATCH – Faf du Plessis Flies Like A Superman To Take A Catch
Rohit Sharma got a lifeline when RCB dropped a simple chance with Siraj and Dinesh Kartik colliding while going for the catch in the fifth over. However, the India skipper couldn’t capitalize, paying the price for his lack of footwork as Akash Deep induced an edge of his blade and Kartik did the rest as MI were reduced to 20 for three in 5.2 overs.
Here is how the fans reacted to the shot from Tilak Varma:
6! What a shot Tilak. Better Helicopter than the man himself! Superb contribution. #IPL
— cricBC (@cricBC) April 2, 2023
Tilak gave a tribute to MS on 12th anniversary of India's WC campaign 🥸❤️🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/BTHl81VlF0
— Mohit 🌻 (@_Mukhtaliff_) April 2, 2023
Helicopter shot on the last ball of the innings on 2nd April by Tilak Varma. Thala Dhoni ko tribute.
— Aadarsh 💞 (@aadarshdixit2) April 2, 2023
