Tilak Varma breaks 'Chasemaster' Virat Kohli's record: India's new run-chase hero emerges

NEW DELHI: Tilak Varma's rise in Indian cricket has been swift, but on Sunday in Dharamshala it crossed a symbolic milestone. The 23-year-old left-hander went past Virat Kohli — long regarded as the gold standard in run chases — to become the batter with the best average in T20I run chases in the world, underlining his growing reputation as one of India's most dependable performers in the shortest format.

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Batting at No.3 in the third T20I against South Africa, Tilak played a knock that was uncharacteristic in tempo but rich in significance. His unbeaten 25 off 34 balls, with just three boundaries, was not eye-catching, but it steered India calmly to a modest target of 118 in 15.5 overs. More importantly, it nudged his numbers into elite territory.




With that innings, Tilak's average against South Africa in T20Is rose to 70.50 — the highest by an Indian batter against a particular opponent, surpassing Kohli's 70.28 against Pakistan (minimum 300 runs). The bigger landmark, however, came in run chases. Tilak now averages 68.0 in T20I chases (minimum 500 runs), overtaking Kohli's celebrated mark of 67.1 and topping the global list among batters from Test-playing nations.

Highest average for India against a team in T20Is

• 70.50 - Tilak Varma vs SA
• 70.28 - Virat Kohli vs PAK
• 67.8 - Virat Kohli vs SL
• 58.83 - KL Rahul vs WI
• 57.0 - Virat Kohli vs WI

*Min 300 runs scored


Like Kohli before him, Tilak is carving a niche as a chase specialist. So far, he has scored 543 runs in 16 T20I innings while batting second, with a highest score of 72 not out, blending composure with shot-making when the pressure is on. Kohli, by comparison, amassed 2013 runs in 48 T20I chases at an average of 67.10, with a best of 94 not out — numbers that defined an era.

Best batting average in T20I chases (min 500 runs)

• 68.0 - Tilak Varma
• 67.1 - Virat Kohli
• 47.71 - MS Dhoni
• 45.55 - JP Duminy
• 44.93 - K Sangakkara

Tilak's effectiveness is amplified by his consistency at No.3. In that position, he has piled up 468 runs in 14 innings at an average of 58.5 and a strike rate of 160.27, including two hundreds and two fifties — a rare combination of volume and impact in T20 cricket.

The ongoing five-match series against South Africa has further showcased his form. Tilak has scored 113 runs in three matches, beginning with 26 in the opener and a fluent 62 off 34 balls in the second T20I.

Overall, Tilak Varma now has 1110 runs from 39 T20Is at an average of 48.26 and a strike rate of 142.49, with two centuries and five fifties. At just 23, the numbers suggest India may already have found its next great finisher of chases — one who has now edged past the ‘Chasemaster' himself.


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