‘Walking the talk’: SKY hails Tilak for unlocking his potential as India’s new No. 3

Various batters have been tried out in recent times for the crucial position once owned by Kohli, with the team think-tank even experimenting with Pant

Johannesburg: India captain Suryakumar Yadav was all praise for Tilak Varma for “walking the talk,” as the youngster slammed record-breaking back-to-back centuries against South Africa to clinch the series 3-1.

Suryakumar hailed Tilak as the latter unlocked his potential as India’s new No. 3 batter. Various batters have been tried out in recent times for the crucial position once owned by Virat Kohli, with the team think-tank even experimenting with Rishabh Pant during the T20 World Cup, albeit with little success.

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Since then, players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson have all had stints at No. 3 before skipper Suryakumar Yadav took over the role. However, after being entrusted with the crucial No. 3 spot in the last two T20Is of the series, the 22-year-old Varma has firmly grabbed the position with both hands.

Skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who sacrificed his spot for the Mumbai Indians all-rounder, couldn’t agree more. “It was actually running in my mind that there has been a time when one man has batted consistently at No. 3 and has done wonders for India,” Suryakumar said after India’s massive 135-run win in the fourth T20I that completed their 3-1 series triumph.

“So, this was a perfect opportunity for a young guy, definitely for him, who is showing a lot of promise. We both actually spoke to each other and he took up the responsibility. He just walked the talk. The way he batted at SuperSport and here was incredible. Hope he continues, not only in T20s but in all formats.” In an aggressive batting display, India posted a huge 283 for 1, the fifth-highest total in men’s T20Is.

Tilak finished with an unbeaten 120 off 47 balls, while opener Sanju Samson, after two ducks in the last two games, slammed 109 not out off 56 to make it three hundreds in five outings. Together, they hammered 210 runs off 86 balls for the second wicket — the highest T20I partnership for India for any wicket.