Suryakumar Yadav reveals his sacrifice that helped Tilak Varma score maiden T20I ton

The young Tilak Varma emerged as the best performer for India in the clash where visitors claimed the lead in the four-match series. As it turns out, the success of Varma was immensely aided by the Indian T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav. The batter who recently claimed the team captaincy in the shorter format following the retirement of Rohit Sharma, revealed that Tilak Varma requested to bat at number three in the third match. Prior to the match in Centurion, Varma was sent to bat at number four with the skipper coming third in the Indian batting order. However, unsatisfied with his knocks at the position, Varma, ahead of the third match approached SKY, also his teammate in the Mumbai Indians camp, to ask for a promotion in the order.

How Suryakumar Yadav helped Tilak Varma achieve his maiden T20I Century

Following India's win in the third India vs South Africa match, Suryakumar Yadav revealed that Tilak Varma approached him after the second T20I in Gqeberha, requesting a chance to bat at No.3. Tilak, who returned to the Indian T20I squad for the South Africa series, had batted at No.4 in the first two matches, scoring 33 and 20. However, with the competition for spots intensifying as the team awaits the return of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, Tilak gauged that his subpar knocks would not help him in the pecking order when the time for selection in the future series comes. Acting on his plans, the young batter asked his skipper to let him bat at his position. SKY, in turn, did not hesitate to sacrifice his position in the Indian batting order.

"What more can I say about Tilak Varma. He (Tilak) came to my room at Gqeberha and said give me a chance at No. 3, I want to do well and I said go out there and express yourself. He asked for it and he delivered. Very happy for him and his family," Suryakumar said at the post-match presentation.

In the crucial third T20I in Centurion with India and South Africa tied in the series, Tilak walked in at No.3 after Sanju Samson fell for a two-ball duck. The left-hander seized the opportunity with a dazzling century, leading India to a commanding position in the four-match series. His unbeaten 107 off 56 balls, combined with a half-century knock by Abhishek Sharma, powered India to a massive total of 219 for six in Centurion. The two youngsters eased the pressure on the team, helping India secure a 2-1 lead. Tilak later admitted that he and Abhishek had been under significant pressure ahead of the match but expressed relief and satisfaction after his maiden international century. His ton also made him the second-youngest Indian to score a T20I century, following Yashasvi Jaiswal.

“I was waiting for this moment for a long time. Coming after injury and scoring a hundred…it is incredible. We (Abhishek and me) both were under pressure and this knock was important for both of us,” Tilak told following his blistering knock.