Tilak Varma has been the talk of the cricketing world after his sensational performances in the recently concluded T20I series against South Africa. The young batter made headlines with two consecutive centuries, one each in Centurion and Johannesburg. His success came after he requested captain Suryakumar Yadav for an opportunity to bat at No. 3, a gesture the veteran skipper graciously accepted.
Tilak seized the chance, showcasing his immense talent on the international stage. With 280 runs from four innings at a staggering average of 140 and a strike rate of 198.58, Tilak emerged as the highest run-scorer of the series. His performances saw him leap an incredible 69 places to claim the No. 3 spot in the ICC T20I batting rankings, trailing only Travis Head and Phil Salt.
This marked his debut in the top 10, a testament to his explosive batting and consistency. In contrast, Suryakumar Yadav, who struggled with just 26 runs in three innings, slipped to fourth place in the rankings.
WATCH – Morne Morkel Backs Jasprit Bumrah As India’s Leader For Perth Test
Sanju Samson also had a mixed series, with two brilliant centuries interspersed with two ducks. Despite the inconsistency, his impactful innings saw him climb 17 spots to reach 22nd in the ICC rankings. Samson’s recent form suggests he is benefiting from the strong backing of the team management.
Meanwhile, Yashasvi Jaiswal remains India’s other representative in the top 10, occupying the eighth spot despite not playing T20 cricket since July. In the all-rounders’ rankings, Hardik Pandya reclaimed the top spot, dethroning England’s Liam Livingstone. Pandya contributed with both bat and ball, scoring 59 runs and picking up two wickets in the series.
ALSO READ: Robin Uthappa Predicts Rishabh Pant’s Record-Breaking Price In IPL 2025 Auction
The year 2024 has been remarkable for Indian cricket in the T20 format. Under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, India claimed their second T20 World Cup in June and dominated throughout the year, winning 24 of their 26 matches. This dominance reflects India’s depth and resilience in the shortest format, with rising stars like Tilak Varma and seasoned players like Hardik Pandya leading the way.
