Watch: “Hope he represents India in Tests,” Azharuddin praises Tilak Varma after his match-winning 51 against NZ

Former India cricketer Mohammed Azharuddin praised Tilak Varma after his match-winning 51 in the second T20I against New Zealand. Tilak played a key role in India's successful chase of 181 runs, showing calmness and control under pressure.

Tilak shared a crucial 69-run partnership with Nitish Kumar Reddy to help India reach the target with one ball to spare. Their partnership proved important as India secured a thrilling victory in the match.

Speaking to ANI after the match, Azharuddin expressed his hope that Tilak would play Test cricket for India. He said, “Hope he represents India in Tests.” 

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Mohammad Azharuddin hopes Tilak Varma represents India in Tests after the 2nd T20I win over NZ

Mohammad Azharuddin praised Tilak Varma after his match-winning innings in the second T20I against New Zealand. He also expressed hope that the young batter would get an opportunity to represent India in Test cricket. Tilak played a key role in helping India win a tense match and take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

India were chasing a target of 181 runs but lost six wickets for 112 runs after a strong start. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner picked up four wickets and put India under pressure in the middle overs. Naman Dhir scored a quick 31 off 17 balls to keep India's hopes alive before Tilak and Nitish Kumar Reddy took charge of the chase.

See also -Watch: India hold nerve in tense last-over finish for 4-wicket win vs New Zealand in 2nd T20I

Tilak remained unbeaten on 51 off 26 balls, hitting six fours and a six, while Nitish scored an unbeaten 26 off 13 balls. Their crucial partnership helped India reach the target with one ball remaining. Impressed by Tilak's performance, Azharuddin said he hoped the left-handed batter would also represent India in Test cricket.

What Azharuddin said about Tilak Varma and how he performed in India’s 2nd T20I vs New Zealand

Speaking to ANI after India’s second T20I win over New Zealand, former India cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin praised Tilak Varma for his match-winning innings. He said, “Today, I am very happy with the way Tilak Varma has played. He is a very good player, and I sincerely hope and pray that he gets the opportunity to play Test cricket.” Azharuddin also called Test cricket the most important format and hoped Tilak would represent India in Tests.

In the match, India won the toss and elected to bowl first. New Zealand lost three wickets for 41 runs in the powerplay but recovered through Glenn Phillips, who scored 70 off 46 balls, and Bevon Jacobs, who made 58 off 46 balls. The pair added 116 runs for the fourth wicket to help New Zealand post 180 for 5 in 20 overs. Arshdeep Singh took two wickets for India, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Prince Yadav and Nitish Kumar Reddy picked up one wicket each.

See also -Watch: Tilak Varma slams six to shift gears in GT vs MI IPL 2026 clash

India’s chase became difficult after the team lost six wickets for 112 runs following a strong start. Mitchell Santner took four wickets to put India under pressure, but Naman Dhir’s quick 31 off 17 balls kept the team in the contest. Tilak then scored an unbeaten 51 off 26 balls, while Nitish Kumar Reddy remained not out on 26 off 13 balls. Their partnership guided India to victory with one ball remaining, giving the team a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. Azharuddin also congratulated the entire team and wished them luck for the remaining matches.

Is a Test call-up next for Tilak Varma? What the praise means for his India future

Tilak Varma’s recent performances in T20 cricket have strengthened his position as a promising batter for India. Former India cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin has also praised him and expressed hope that he will get an opportunity to play Test cricket. However, a Test call-up will depend on the selectors’ plans, the team’s needs and Tilak’s performances in domestic cricket.

Tilak has an impressive first-class record, having scored 1,828 runs in 25 matches and 38 innings at an average of 57.12. His record includes five centuries and seven half-centuries, with a highest score of 121. These numbers show that he has also performed well in the longer format, where patience and consistency are important.

Azharuddin’s praise highlights the confidence some former cricketers have in Tilak’s ability to succeed in Test cricket. His unbeaten 51 against New Zealand in the second T20I also showed his ability to handle pressure and guide India to victory. If Tilak continues to perform consistently across formats, he could strengthen his case for a place in India’s Test team in the future.