Days after India A tri-series win, Tilak Varma lights up TG20 with 136 off 56 balls

On June 21, Sunday, Tilak Varma was in Dambulla and led India A to a three-series title win against Sri Lanka A. On Monday, he donned the Medak Falcons hat and produced a sensational unbeaten century to orchestrate a remarkable chase. His team chased down a formidable 259-run target against Warangal Warriors in the third match of the Hyderabad Cricket Association’s Sreenidhi University TG20 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium on Monday.

In a contest dominated by a fearless stroke play, Warangal Warriors posted an impressive 258/7 mainly thanks to a breathtaking innings by skipper Aman Rao Perala. The opener smashed 142 off just 48 deliveries, including 12 fours and 13 sixes, after reaching his maiden century of the tournament in just 32 balls.

Despite the daunting task in front of them, the Falcons never backed down. Tilak anchored the chase with an outstanding 136 not out from 56 balls, hitting 14 boundaries and eight sixes. His innings, combined with a decisive late strike by Vikram Naik, who made 27 off 12 balls, led the Falcons to a dramatic three-wicket win with two deliveries to spare.

Warangal’s innings got off to a brisk start as Aman and his teammate Harshit Choudhary threw themselves into the bowling attack right from the start. The pair raced to 101 not out during the powerplay, setting a new benchmark for the highest powerplay total in the competition.

The opening stand continued to flourish with the duo adding 133 runs before N Surya Teja finally broke through by removing Harshit for a quickfire 35 off 23 balls. By this stage, however, the Warriors had already laid the groundwork for a massive score.

Aman remained relentless after his partner’s release and sent out bowlers to all parts of the country. His landmark century came at lightning speed, arriving off just 32 deliveries and further underscoring his dominance throughout the innings.

The Rajasthan Royals recruit ensured the scoring rate never dipped as Warangal reached 146/1 at half-time. The team crossed the 200-run mark in the 14th over before Rahul Kunta provided the much-needed breakthrough by ending Aman’s spectacular knock. Although the Falcons managed to pull things back slightly in the final overs with Tilak Varma and Madhukar Manne picking up wickets, Murugan Abhishek’s brisk 32 off 15 balls helped the total to an impressive 258/7.

The chase began at a frantic pace. While Anirudh Srivatsa conceded 17 runs in the opener, he also struck early by dismissing Naman Agarwal for 12 off four balls.

Tilak quickly took control of the innings and ensured that the required rate remained within reach. The Falcons cruised past fifty in four overs and reached 85/2 by the end of the over despite the loss of Shrunjith Reddy, who was out after a quick 25 off 12 deliveries.

India’s T20I vice-captain continued to dictate the conditions, bringing up his half-century in just 22 balls as the Falcons crossed the 100-run mark in eight overs. Although wickets fell at regular intervals, including Ravi Teja’s dismissal to Shaunak Kulkarni, the chase was kept alive by Tilak’s aggression.

The momentum briefly shifted in Warangal’s favor as the Falcons slumped to 190/6 in the 15th over after losing three wickets in quick succession. Needing 65 runs from the last five overs looked increasingly difficult.

Tilak, however, had other plans. He scored a brilliant century in just 42 balls and found valuable support in Vikram Naik. Together, the pair added 58 crucial runs to keep the score and pressure on the Warriors.

Even though Vikram made 27 in the penultimate match, his contribution proved decisive. With the equation still challenging and wickets running short, Tilak remained composed. He expertly navigated the latter stages of the chase, finding boundaries at key moments and steering his side home in a thrilling finish.

His unbeaten 136 capped one of the best innings of the tournament so far and helped the Medak Falcons complete a stunning chase to secure a three-wicket win with two balls to spare.

– The end

Published on:

23 Jun 2026 03:17 IST