While Aiden Markram and captain Temba Bavuma hung on to the Proteas in the big chase in the must-win game of the Raipur ODI, Indian substitute fielder Tilak Varma produced a stunning save, which stunned everyone. 

With the help of twin centuries by Ruturaj Gaikwad (105) and Virat Kohli (102), India managed to score 358/5 in 50 overs. Chasing down the big target, while the opener Quinton de Kock was dismissed early, Aiden Markram and the skipper Temba Bavuma brilliantly controlled the chase. 

Aiden Markram had luck soon after completing his half-century when Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped him at long on. Soon, Tilak Varma stunned everyone with his brilliant fielding skill. 

Watch: Rishabh Pant gives Rohit Sharma his pupil hair to ask wish during IND vs SA 2nd ODI

IND vs SA, 2nd ODI: Substitute fielder Tilak Varma saved five runs with brilliant fielding

It was the 20th over when Tilak Varma defied gravity. While Kuldeep Yadav was bowling to Markram, the Proteas opener launched him at long on once again. Substitute fielder Tilak Varma was in charge at long on at that time, as he flew to grab that opportunity. 

Tilak successfully grabbed that ball in the air, but he couldn't avoid landing before the boundary line. Understanding the situation quickly, the Indian fielder threw the ball outside the boundary just before he landed on the boundary cushion. It was a tight call, as the third umpire checked from different angles before giving the decision as only a single run. So, that brilliant attempt saved five crucial runs for the hosts. 

Watch the video of Tilak Varma's brilliant fielding

That was a 100/100 effort by #Tilak! ✈

Came in as a substitute fielder, saved a certain six, and boosted the team’s spirit. 🙌#INDvSA 2nd ODI, LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/uUUTmm025J pic.twitter.com/4qgLEWAm3q

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 3, 2025

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officially unveiled Team India’s jersey for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup during the innings break of the second ODI against South Africa in Raipur on Wednesday. The launch took place moments after the hosts posted a commanding 358/5, powered by brilliant centuries from Ruturaj Gaikwad and Virat Kohli.

India, who will co-host the tournament with Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8 next year, showcased a refreshed design for the upcoming global event. The new kit retains the traditional deep blue base but features vibrant orange panels along the sides. In a notable design shift, the tricolour, earlier placed across the shoulders, has been moved to the collar. Vertical blue stripes add texture to the front, giving the jersey a modern, dynamic look.

Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma unveil India’s new T20 World Cup 2026 jersey in Raipur

Rohit Sharma and Tilak Varma were present at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium to unveil the jersey. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and Adidas officials handed over the new kit to the duo on stage. Rohit, the brand ambassador for the 2026 edition and India’s T20 World Cup-winning captain in 2024, spoke emotionally about the journey.

Team India's jersey unveiled for the T20 World Cup 2026. 👕🇮🇳

📸: JioHotstar/X#oneturfnews #teamindia #t20worldcup #rohitsharma #cricket pic.twitter.com/ugInlaofgg

— OneTurf News (@oneturf_news) December 3, 2025

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“It took us more than 15 years to win the T20 World Cup trophy after 2007. Now the World Cup will happen in India, and my wishes are always with the team. I’m sure everyone will be behind them,” Rohit said. Having retired from the T20 format, he attended the ceremony in his ambassadorial role.

India have been placed in Group A for the tournament alongside Pakistan, the USA, the Netherlands and Namibia. The hosts will begin their campaign on February 7 at the Wankhede Stadium against the USA.

The ceremonial launch added to an electric day in Raipur, where India’s batters dominated South Africa. Kohli scored a composed 102 while Gaikwad struck his maiden ODI hundred with a fluent 105. Their 195-run stand set the tone for India’s imposing total, with KL Rahul providing a powerful finish. With the new jersey revealed and the countdown underway, anticipation continues to build ahead of the home World Cup.

Young India batter Tilak Varma spoke about his growing role in the national team and the changing demands of international cricket. India won the first ODI against South Africa by 17 runs. Virat Kohli scored his record 52nd ODI century, and Rohit Sharma hit a strong half-century. With this win, India took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

After the match, Varma said he feels comfortable in the longer formats and gains a lot of confidence from sharing the dressing room with India’s top batters. He said that ODIs and Tests suit his style because these formats need patience, maturity, and focus.

“ODI and Test cricket feel like my game because I enjoy the longer format. I am excited to play more ODIs. When Rohit bhai and Virat bhai are in the same team, the confidence level is totally different. They have so much experience, and I try to learn as much as I can from them.

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Tilak Varma : When Rohit bhai and Virat bhai are in the same team the confidence level is completely different. They have so much experience and knowledge, and I try to take as much advice from them as possible to get better.

pic.twitter.com/D64Cb3aAsu

— Rohan💫 (@rohann__45) December 2, 2025

Tilak Varma on Learning From Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir

“I talk to Virat bhai a lot, especially about fitness and running between the wickets. His intensity is amazing. I also love running and I feel I am quite fast, so I enjoy that part of the game. If we play together, running between the wickets with him is something I really look forward to,” Tilak Varma said.

Varma also spoke about the strong support he gets from mentor and coach Gautam Gambhir. He said Gambhir helps him build mental strength. “Gautam sir always gives me confidence. He tells me that if you have the skill, you can play all formats and do well in all formats. He puts me under pressure in practice sessions so I can learn how to handle pressure in matches. He keeps challenging me because he believes I have the capability. That backing means a lot to me," he added.

Although Tilak Varma has not played Test cricket yet, his early numbers in white-ball cricket show his promise. He has scored 661 runs in 23 matches at an average of 38.88. With four fifties and one century, he has already shown that he can hold the innings and also score quickly when needed.

India, under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, won the five-match T20I series against Australia down under by a margin of 2-1 as the fifth and final clash ended in an abandoned result due to persistent rain at the Gabba in Brisbane. The Blue Brigade made a strong comeback in the series with two successive wins in Hobart and Gold Coast.

Tilak Varma celebrated his birthday on November 08 as the leader of the national side, along with the management, decided to drop the left-handed batter for the final clash and brought Rinku Singh. However, that plan didn’t work as India made their way to 52/0 in the fifth over of the innings.

See Also: [WATCH] Arshdeep Singh reflects on his left-arm pace bowling skill ahead of AUS vs IND 5th T20I in Brisbane

Later, in the dressing room, Varam celebrated his birthday with the Indian team as Suryakumar and other members were seen putting pastry and cakes on his face, as it has become a funny ritual in India. The team environment looked really sharp with the players enjoying the close bond between them, which is crucial for any successful side.

Watch: Suryakumar Yadav and others put cakes on Tilak Varma’s face to celebrate his birthday

Varma, since making his debut in the shortest format for the national side, has earned incredible success with the bat. The 23-year-old has smashed 996 runs in 33 innings at an average of 47.42 and a strike rate of 146.68 with the help of four half-centuries and two centuries at the best score of unbeaten 120 runs.

 

 

 

 

 

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In the Indian Premier League (IPL), the 23-year-old has collected 1499 runs for the Mumbai Indians in 51 innings at an average of 37.47 and a strike rate of 144.41 with the help of eight half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 84 runs. In the last season, the left-handed batter managed 343 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of 138.30 with two fifties.

Post India’s victory against Australia, the focus for the Suryakumar-led side will move to the five-match T20I series at home against the South Africa side. It would be important for the Blue Brigade to continue their success in the format and grow confidence ahead of the home T20 World Cup.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has declared its squad for the upcoming three-match unofficial ODI series for India A against South Africa, which begins on November 13 and continues through November 16 and 19 in Rajkot. As reported earlier, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the two former captains, are not part of the series.

Tilak Verma, the selected captain for the series for India A, is expected to bat at number four in the line-up. The selectors, who are expected to be present for the three games, could keep an eye on the southpaw before the ODI squad announcement against South Africa, as Shreyas Iyer won’t be part of those three clashes.

See Also: India squad for Hong Kong Sixes 2025 named under former RCB star’s leadership

Verma has smashed 1645 runs in 40 innings of List A cricket at an average of 45.69 and a strike rate of 93.35 with the help of five half-centuries and 10 centuries at the best score of unbeaten 156 runs. He has, however, struggled in the T20I series against Australia with 29 runs in two innings.

Tilak Verma to lead India A for three unofficial ODI series against South Africa A

Ruturaj Gaikwad is back in the frame for the 50-over series for India A. He has overall bagged 4324 runs in 83 innings of the domestic ODI format at an average of 56.15 and a strike rate of 101.66 with the help of 17 fifties and 16 centuries at the best score of unbeaten 220 runs.

Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, and Abhishek Sharma- all of whom are part of the current three-match T20I series against Australia- will return for the ODI series. Ayush Badoni has also got his chance in the side along with Manav Suthar.

However, there is no place for either Sanju Samson or Rajat Patidar in the squad. The former is in Australia while the latter is part of the unofficial Test series against the Proteas’ A side.

India A’s squad for three unofficial series against South Africa A

Tilak Varma (captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, Ishan Kishan (wk), Ayush Badoni, Nishant Sindhu, Vipraj Nigam, Manav Suthar, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Khaleel Ahmed, Prabhsimran Singh (wk). 

End of a cracking innings. Shivam Dube got the big fish in the net. Tim David is gone after an entertaining 74-run innings off 38 balls during Australia vs. India 3rd T20I (AUS vs. IND 3rd T20I) of the 5-match series. Near the boundary line, Tilak Varma took a stunning catch to end the stormy batting of Tim David. 

The Australian batter was at his peak against the Indian bowling attack at the Ninja stadium. The right-handed batter was toying with the bowlers. With his strong arms, David was smashing boundaries and over-boundaries for fun. He reached the half-century mark with ease. But India captain Suryakumar Yadav had the plan to clear him from the crease. 

Yadav introduced a combination of Shivam Dube, a pace bowling all-rounder, and a spinner from the other end. Varun Chakravarthy instantly proved his mettle by taking two wickets in two balls. David, who was on the other end of the wicket, could only see his teammates walking back to the dugout.

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Tilak Varma takes a spectacular catch to dismiss Tim David

Before that successful over of Chakravarthy, David looked lethal against Dube, smashing multiple big shots against the medium pacer. Dube was continuously bowling well off the off stump, and David was hitting those balls for fun. It was a trap from Team India, which later worked. 

In the delivery David got out and there was also an outside delivery from Shivam Dube. This time, the batter did not make the right connection and ended up caught in Varma's safe pair of hands. The catch was not easy to execute. The ball was travelling over the long-off corridor when Tilak jumped timely after covering some ground and gathered the ball precisely right in front of the boundary rope. David had to go. 

Watch the catch here

OUT!

That's the one India wanted. Tim David is out for 74!#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/mjG6qLeL2s

— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) November 2, 2025

Team India’s rising star Tilak Varma played a crucial role in India’s Asia Cup 2025 victory, delivering a match-winning unbeaten half-century in the final against Pakistan. His composed innings helped India clinch the title and showcased his potential on the big stage.

The 22-year-old left-hander has made a strong impression in his short international career. Since making his ODI and T20I debuts in 2023, Tilak has featured in four ODIs and 32 T20Is. In the shorter format, he has scored 962 runs, including two centuries and four fifties, proving his consistency and ability to perform under pressure.

Tilak has been named in India’s T20I squad for the upcoming five-match series in Australia, while the team continues its ODI campaign. Recently, he appeared on ‘Breakfast with Champions,’ where he spoke about the Asia Cup, meeting Rohit Sharma for the first time, and shared insights into his journey and ambitions in international cricket.

See Also: ‘Kuldeep offers something extra…-’ Former India player criticizes India’s tactics after series loss against Australia

Tilak Varma Shares Five Intriguing Insights on Recent Chat Show:

During his recent appearance on a chat show, Tilak Varma shared five intriguing insights and comments, offering a glimpse into his thoughts and experiences amid the ongoing AUS vs IND 2025 series.

1. Tilak Varma opens up about India A Bangladesh hospitalization

Tilak Varma revealed a startling incident from his India A tour in Bangladesh, when he was hospitalized mid-game. He had to leave the field immediately due to a serious health issue, leaving teammates and fans concerned.

He said, “ I was playing an India A game in Bangladesh. After a point my eyes become watery, I was not even able to lift the bat and all my nerves were hard. I retired hurt and came out. Akash Ambani called me right away.”

He further said, “ He spoke to the BCCI and they helped me a lot. At the hospital they told me it could have gotten worse if I had come even a few hours late. It was that bad. Even the needle was not going in. I just wanted to come out alive.”

Despite the setback, Tilak Varma made a full recovery and returned to form. Since then, he has become a key player for both Mumbai Indians in the IPL and India’s T20I squad, contributing consistently with his performances.

2. Meeting Rohit Sharma for the very first time

After joining MI, Tilak Varma shared his excitement about meeting team captain Rohit Sharma. He revealed that it took two days before he finally got a chance to interact with the veteran, making his first team experience even more memorable.

He said, “ It was in 2022 during COVID. We were in Taj Hotel in Mumbai. I was waiting. Rohit did not come the first two days. I met everyone but could not see him and I was waiting. I was very excited to see him as I had never met him before.”

He further said,“ He came on the third day. He was with his family. I went to the breakfast area, took some juice and just sat at one corner to see him. I wanted to go talk to him but I was scared. I was nervous so I did not go to him.”

He added, “ I went to a media guy and told him. I did not know that guy was close to Rohit. So he went and told him. Then Rohit called to my room and asked me to meet him. Then I sat with him and spoke a lot.”

3. Experiencing Wankhede and witnessing fan frenzy for MS Dhoni

Tilak Varma shared his experience playing at Mumbai’s famous Wankhede Stadium, MI’s home ground. He highlighted the thrill of facing Chennai Super Kings there and noted the incredible fan admiration for MS Dhoni, even among Mumbai supporters.

He said, “ Playing at Wankhede is a different feeling. The atmosphere, the crowd, there is a lot of fun. I even won the game against CSK there. But I see that when Mahi bhai comes, people remove their blue jerseys and the yellow shirt comes on. I thought this was amazing. Once he gets out, the blue shirts come on again.”

Tilak Varma also recalled that Wankhede Stadium holds historic significance, as it was the site where MS Dhoni led India to a memorable triumph in the 2011 World Cup final, making the venue iconic in cricket history.

4. Tilak Varma on 2022 IPL auction and joining Mumbai Indians

Tilak Varma entered the IPL in 2022 after being bought by Mumbai Indians for ₹1.7 crore. He revealed he was playing the Ranji Trophy in Cuttack during the auction and later overexerted himself, resulting in an injury after the season.

He said, “ We were playing the Ranji Trophy in Cuttack. Everyone came to my room once the auction started. Everyone started screaming when the bid started. When CSK and MI came in, when it went to 1.2 Cr, the TV started to hang and in ten seconds it had gone to 1.7. It then showed that MI bought me.”

He added, “ I had a muscle breakdown after the first IPL and no one knows this. I wanted to get into the Test team and I was continuously playing domestic matches. I did not focus on recovery. I would push myself and overstrained.”

Since his IPL debut, Tilak Varma has represented Mumbai Indians in 54 matches, accumulating 1,499 runs. The left-hander has showcased consistent performance, recording eight half-centuries and establishing himself as a key player for the franchise.

5. Regarding the 2025 Asia Cup trophy dispute

Tilak Varma played a stellar innings in the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan, scoring an unbeaten 69 off 53 balls. Under immense pressure, he guided India from a precarious 20/3 to successfully chase 147, earning the 'Player of the Match' award for his efforts.

However, India did not receive the trophy after the match, despite waiting for a considerable time. The team held a mock celebration, pretending to lift the trophy. Speaking about the unusual situation, Tilak shared his thoughts on the controversy, expressing his disappointment while highlighting the joy of winning and the team’s resilience under pressure.

He said, “ We were actually waiting for an hour on the ground. I was lying on the ground, Arshdeep was doing his work, making reels as usual. We were all waiting thinking now the trophy will come. But even after an hour it did not. We kept looking around but it was not there. Then Arshdeep told let us celebrate how we did during the T20 World Cup and do the same here. Then we all thought okay and then we started it.”

Tilak Varma was in brilliant form during the Asia Cup 2025, amassing 213 runs across six matches. He maintained an impressive average of 71 and a strike rate of 131.48, playing a key role in India’s success throughout the tournament.

It has been nearly a month since India, under Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership, won the Asia Cup 2025 against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, beating Pakistan in the final. However, they haven’t received their medals and trophy from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) after refusing to collect them from the chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, who is also connected to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). 

Naqvi was firm on his decision not to hand over the trophy unless India takes it from him. He escaped with the title, as the silverware has been gathering dust at the organization’s headquarters in Dubai. Tilak Varma, who was named the ‘Player of the Match’ in the final for his 69* runs in 53 balls, opened up on what truly went behind the scenes.

See Also: “Get some form quickly…”- Ravi Shastri warns Virat Kohli post successive ducks in ODIs against Australia

“We were actually waiting at the ground for one hour. If you look at the TV visuals, you’ll see that I was lying on the ground. Arshdeep Singh was busy making reels. We were just waiting, thinking, ‘The trophy will come anytime now.’ But the trophy was nowhere to be found.” Varma expressed the backstory during the recent interaction on Breakfast with Champions.

Tilak Varma reveals story of Asia Cup 2025 Trophy row

It’s worth mentioning that the presentation for the final was delayed for nearly an hour as the talks went on between Naqvi and the management. Eventually, the Indian side decided to celebrate with a fictional trophy, but the contingent ensured that the celebrations were not hampered.

“Arshdeep said, Let's create an atmosphere. He said we should just celebrate in the same fashion as the T20 World Cup in 2024, minus the trophy. Abhishek Sharma, we, along with 5-6 more people, then gave our nod for the same. Then we went ahead with it.” Varma explained.

“We were confident, but cricket is a funny game. If you are playing a big tournament like the Asia Cup or the World Cup, and there's a day when you don't play to your potential, then it's over. But the way in which I played against Pakistan in the final, I cannot play in the same fashion in every match.” The left-handed middle-order batter shed light on the episode.

Tilak Varma shared that he sustained a serious muscle injury after the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Despite this setback, the young left-handed batsman, instead of taking a break from domestic cricket and letting his body rest, put too much load on it again and further aggravated the injury.

Tilak spoke about a significant highlight during the India A tour to Bangladesh in 2022, when he had to retire hurt in the middle of the game. At that time, he was already signed with the Mumbai Indians, and Akash Ambani intervened, contacting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to ensure Tilak received proper treatment. The batter admitted that arriving even a few hours later at the hospital could have been life-threatening.

“I was playing an India A game in Bangladesh. After a point my eyes became watery, I was not even able to lift the bat and all my nerves were hard. I retired hurt and came out. Akash Ambani called me right away. He spoke to the BCCI and they helped me a lot. At the hospital, they told me it could have gotten worse if I had come even a few hours later. It was that bad. Even the needle was not going in. I just wanted to come out alive,” Tilak said on ‘Breakfast with Champions.'

Tilak Varma Credits Coach and Early Struggles for Mental Toughness

Tilak also credited his childhood coach for believing in him even before he was selected for the Hyderabad team. The 22-year-old explained that his resilience and mental strength stemmed from the challenges he faced in his early years.

See Also: 'I Wanted an Upright Stance for Bouncy..' – Shreyas Iyer reflects on his new batting technique after AUS vs IND 2nd ODI

“My coach told me that he knew I would make it big and become the number one player. He would tell me this even when I had not started playing for Hyderabad yet. Many people also went against me and told things to my coach. But he never listened to anyone and worked a lot on me. There were times when I even fell at people's feet asking for just one opportunity to play. That made me a hard person. People say I do well under pressure. But I have seen such things that make me hard and all this feels like nothing,” he said.

Tilak played a crucial role in the 2025 Asia Cup final, scoring a calm and composed half-century against Pakistan to help India win a low-scoring thriller in Dubai. He is set to return for the Indian team in the upcoming five-match T20I series against Australia, starting Wednesday, October 29.

The left-handed batter of the Indian cricket team, Tilak Varma, has revealed the story from the 2022 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) when he was diagnosed with Rhabdomyolysis. It was a challenging period for the young Indian cricketer, during which he couldn’t even stretch or move his fingers properly. Fans and cricket enthusiasts were deeply concerned as the IPL 2022 season posed both physical and mental challenges for Varma.

Tilak Varma has since established himself as a key performer for India in T20 cricket, smashing 962 runs in 30 T20I innings at an average of 53.44 and a strike rate of 149.14, including four half-centuries and two centuries, with a best score of an unbeaten 120 runs.

During a recent episode of Breakfast with Champions, the talented left-handed batter shared his inspiring journey of recovery, highlighting the support from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the cricket fraternity. His story serves as a motivation for young cricketers facing injuries and setbacks in international cricket.

See Also: [WATCH] Ravi Shastri shares his top 5 Indian ODI players of all-time

“Rhabdomyolysis is a disease in which the muscle breaks down. So, I was preparing to play Test cricket and be part of the domestic tournaments continuously, along with the A-games. I actually couldn’t put myself in the recovery process. The body generally needs good time off for that. So I was pushing myself, and that time, I got a muscle strain.” Varma expressed in the new episode of ‘Breakfast with Champions.’

Watch Tilak Varma Reveal How BCCI Helped Him Overcome Severe IPL 2022 Illness

Varma played a memorable innings recently, scoring an unbeaten 69 runs in the final of the Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium against Pakistan. The left-handed Indian batter held his composure under pressure to play a brilliant knock, rescuing the team after losing three early wickets.

His performance highlighted his skill in high-pressure situations and reinforced his reputation as a rising star in international cricket and a dependable match-winner for India in major tournaments.

Tilak Varma Revealed After His First IPL in 2022 How He was Diagnosed With Rhabdomyolysis. How Akash Ambani & BCCI Helped Him. Few Hour Here n There Ded Stage! Later on He Cameback in IPL Played One Of The Magnificent Knock Against RCB in IPL 2023. An Insane Story Man 🫡. [ BWC ] pic.twitter.com/HE4crZD4Nt

— яιşнí. (@BellaDon_3z) October 23, 2025

“I was with the Mumbai Indians’ group. I had the dream of playing for India, and I got tears rolling out of my eyes after I got to my century in a game against Bangladesh A. I couldn’t raise my bat and got his fingers stuck in it. I had to get retired out, and there was a need to cut the gloves off my hand out of it.” Varma shed light.

“I soon got a call from Akash Ambani, and BCCI also helped, along with the BCCI Center of Excellence. They admitted me to the hospital, and the doctors said that it could have taken my life. I couldn’t stretch my finger at all. Even the needle couldn’t go in. Later, I enjoyed my return against RCB and scored against them.” The left-handed Indian batter concluded on ‘Breakfast with Champions.’