“School Boy Stuff”: Sunil Gavaskar slams Tilak Varma’s run-out in IND vs WI 3rd T20I

Sunil Gavaskar slams Tilak Varma after the Indian batter suffered a bizarre run-out during the third T20I against West Indies in Indore. The legendary opener did not hold back, describing the dismissal as "school boy stuff" after Tilak mistakenly thought Axar Patel's shot had reached the boundary. The incident quickly became a major talking point during the IND vs WI 3rd T20I 2026.

The incident happened in the 17th over when Axar Patel played a shot towards deep backward square leg. West Indies fielder Kamil Pooran stopped the ball just before it reached the boundary, but Tilak and Axar had already met in the middle of the pitch and punched their gloves, assuming the ball had gone for four. Tilak failed to return to safety in time, allowing Gudakesh Motie to break the stumps at the bowler’s end. The Tilak Varma run-out IND vs WI 3rd T20I became one of the most unusual moments of the match.

Tilak Varma’s bizarre run-out vs West Indies: What happened and why Gavaskar called it “School Boy Stuff”

The bizarre run out took place on the fourth ball of the 17th over. Axar Patel flicked a low full toss from Gudakesh Motie towards deep backward square leg. Kamil Pooran ran to his left and dived to stop the ball before it crossed the boundary. While the fielder recovered and returned the ball, both Indian batters had assumed it was a boundary and briefly celebrated in the middle.

Tilak Varma was slow to realize that the ball was still in play. Axar noticed the danger and rushed back inside his crease, but Tilak was caught out of position. Motie collected the ball and broke the stumps at the bowler’s end. After the third umpire reviewed the boundary save and the batters’ positions, Tilak was given out for 28 off 16 balls. The Tilak Varma run-out video and the unusual mix-up drew attention because the batter had time to return safely but did not react quickly enough.

Watch Tilak Varma's runout here- 

Sunil Gavaskar did not hold back in his criticism of the dismissal. Speaking during the broadcast, he said, “What was Tilak Varma doing there? You can't take things so casually. When we start batting, this is the first thing coaches tell you, to stay in the crease, always reach to your safe position first. It was a school boy stuff from Tilak Varma. You are an experienced batter in the side, and this sort of casual approach in totally unacceptable. He should have done a lot better there.” The school boy stuff Gavaskar comment summed up his frustration with the needless run-out.

See Also: Watch: Abhishek Sharma becomes the fastest player to score 2,000 runs in T20I history in IND vs WI 3rd T20I

How India fared in the 3rd T20I despite Tilak Varma’s run-out: Result and series update

Despite the costly mix-up, India posted a competitive total of 223 in 20 overs after Shai Hope won the toss and chose to bowl first. Abhishek Sharma led the innings with an explosive 69 off 30 balls, including six fours and five sixes. Ishan Kishan added 37 off 18 balls, while Tilak scored 28 off 16 before his run out. India lost several wickets in the middle overs but still crossed the 220-run mark.

West Indies fought hard during the chase, with Shimron Hetmyer scoring 43 off 26 balls and Kamil Pooran making 42 off 27 deliveries. Sherfane Rutherford contributed 32 off 20 balls, while Shamar Springer struck an unbeaten 35 off just 11 deliveries. However, the visitors finished on 209/7, falling 14 runs short of the target.

India’s bowlers played a key role in defending the total. Arshdeep Singh took three wickets for 44 runs, dismissing Shai Hope, Sherfane Rutherford and Keemo Paul. Naman Dhir also picked up two wickets for 39 runs, helping India control the chase despite West Indies’ late hitting. The result meant India beat West Indies by 14 runs in the third T20I.

See Also: Watch: Shai Hope & Roston Chase get into heated argument with umpires over shocking reasons in IND vs WI 3rd T20I

With the win, India took a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. While Abhishek Sharma’s explosive batting and Arshdeep Singh’s wickets helped India secure the victory, Tilak Varma’s bizarre run out remained one of the biggest talking points. Gavaskar’s criticism has added to the discussion, but India will now look to build on the win as they aim to clinch the T20I series against West Indies.