IPL 2023: Who is Tilak Varma, sensational MI batter scoring at whopping strike rate?

New Delhi: Young Indian sensation Tilak Varma finished the game for Mumbai Indians last night as they beat Punjab Kings chasing 215. Varma has been playing sensational knocks this season and scored a cracking 26* off 10 to finish the nail-biting chase. Hitting three back-to-back boundaries in the 17th over and finishing the game with a six against India’s ace death bowler Arshdeep Singh is something he will hold close to him.

Who is Tilak Varma?

Tilak Varma is a 20-year-old batter scoring consistently for Mumbai Indians in IPL. The Hyderabad batter has represented India in U-19 cricket and has toured with India A team. Knocking the doors of the Indian team, Tilak has been sensational in white-ball cricket since last year.

In 25 List A games, the batter has scored 1236 runs at an average of 56.18 and at a strike rate of 101.64, including five fifties and two centuries. Playing in 45 T20s, he has scored 1349 runs at an average of 37.47 and at a whopping strike rate of 140.66. Even in First Class cricket, he has 409 runs in 11 innings at an average of 40.90.

Tilak Varma in IPL

Tilak made his IPL debut for MI in 2022 as the franchise bought him for Rs 1.7 crore after his performance in the domestic circuit. He has played 23 IPL games so far and has scored 671 runs including three fifties. This season, he has scored 274 runs in nine games at a strike rate of 158.38. He began the season with 84* off 46 against RCB and announced himself as a player to look out for.

He has made a mark as an elegant left-handed middle-order batter who can even come down the order to finish the games. Varma has shown a wide range of shots and power to hit big sixes to counter internationally acclaimed bowlers and with a bit of guidance, he can be soon seen in the Indian T20 squad.