India batsman Tilak Varma looked visibly upset with Arshdeep Singh after the fast bowler filmed him without permission in the Indian dressing room. A video of the incident went viral after India’s T20 World Cup warm-up match against South Africa, in which Tilak was seen eating food and sternly asking Arshdeep to stop recording it.
However, Tilak produced an impressive take to the field and marked his return to the Indian side with a smooth knock of 45 runs against a strong Proteas line-up. He scored 19 balls and hit three boundaries and three sixes. The knock was particularly significant as Tilak was returning from a minor operation and needed time in the middle.
The left-hander missed India’s recent T20I series against New Zealand after undergoing emergency testicular torsion surgery.
After the warm-up match against South Africa, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma were having fun in the dressing room. ??
Without informing Tilak, Arshdeep Singh suddenly started making the reel by covering Tilak, which angered and angered Tilak. ???? pic.twitter.com/BBGefO7rtu
— Jara (@JARA_Memer) February 4, 2026
The exchange between Tilak, Arshdeep and Ishan Kishan is widely believed to have been a prank. Tilak recently appeared in Arshdeep’s YouTube vlog and is known to share a close bond with the left arm pacemaker.
Tilak Varma key to India’s T20 World Cup plans
Tilak Varma is expected to play a key role in India’s World T20 campaign as the team looks set to become the first team to successfully defend the Men’s World T20 title. India had won the previous edition in Barbados, beating South Africa by seven runs in a thrilling final.
However, there is a clear difference between that side and the current side, with India undergoing a sea change in approach under Gautam Gambhir’s leadership.
India entered the tournament as strong favourites, with several teams acknowledging that they are performing at a higher level than others at the moment.
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Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
February 5, 2026