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'Man Has Done Wonders At No. 3,' Surya's Tribute To Kohli As Tilak Lights Up SA vs IND T20Is

Jatin

Virat Kohli & Tilak Varma [Source: @ishantraj_/ @BCCI/x.com]Virat Kohli & Tilak Varma [Source: @ishantraj_/ @BCCI/x.com]

In the recent T20I series against South Africa, India’s batting lineup got a bit of a shakeup, courtesy of Suryakumar Yadav. Stepping into the No. 3 role after Virat Kohli’s final T20 World Cup run, Surya seemed ready to settle into the high-pressure spot—a spot Kohli had made his own.

Surya’s Lauds Virat Kohli After Tilak Varma Shines At No. 3

But in the last two matches, Surya made an unexpected call. He took a step back down the order, allowing the young gun Tilak Varma to take the reins at number three, and it turned out to be a stroke of genius.

Surya's decision was no spur-of-the-moment idea. It was a nod to the legacy Kohli left behind, where India’s number three was more than just a batting position—it was a responsibility.

“There has been a time when one man has batted at No.3 consistently and done wonders for India. This was a perfect opportunity for a young guy like Tilak Varma to grab that spot, take the responsibility,” Surya shared with a smile in the post-match presser.

Tilak’s Heroics Help India Clinch The Series 3-1

The South African pitches aren’t known for being kind to young players, but Tilak was unfazed. In his first match at three in Centurion, he butchered the Protean bowling attack by smashing an unbeaten 107 off just 56 balls with eight boundaries and seven sixes.

His aggressive shots and confidence turned heads as he smoothly slipped into the role that once belonged to Kohli. He didn’t just play; he dominated, ending the series as India’s top scorer with 280 runs at a mind-boggling strike rate of 198.58.

Thanks to Tilak’s consistency and power hitting, India finished the series with a comfortable 3-1 win. His quickfire hundreds in back-to-back games at Centurion and Johannesburg put the Proteas on the back foot and gave India the upper hand. The final match in Johannesburg was the cherry on top, with India sealing the series with a massive 135-run victory.