Tilak Varma became the highest-ranked India T20I batter after jumping 69 spots to the No.3 position in the latest rankings. Tilak Varma hit back-to-back centuries during India’s tour of South Africa and played a huge role in the side’s 3-1 victory.
By this move, he has overtaken Suryakumar Yadav in the ICC rankings and is now only behind Australia’s Travis Head and England’s Phil Salt.
Tilak Varma has broken into the top 10 for the first time in his T20I career. His twin centuries in India’s series win in South Africa helped him to make it to the top rankings.
Tilak Varma was named as the Player of the series after scoring 280 runs at a strike rate of 198 smashing 20 sixes.
Meanwhile Suryakumar Yadav dropped to No.4 spot. He gave chance to Tilak Varma to bat in No.3 position.
However, Sanju Samson who also hit two centuries in the series climbed 17 spots to secure 22nd position. Samson has a fine form in T20I smashing 3 centuries in last five games and also become the first player to have three centuries in a year.
After the series, Suryakumar confirmed that Tilak would continue to bat at No.3 after he hit the first of the two hundreds in South Africa.
Hardik Pandya at the 🔝
Tilak Varma’s massive jump 🤯
Sanju Samson’s blitz pays off 👊Big gains for 🇮🇳 players following the T20I triumph in South Africa ➡ https://t.co/qN4CBY6NJY pic.twitter.com/61EKSpunUd
— ICC (@ICC) November 20, 2024
“What can I say about Tilak Varma. He came to me (in Gqeberha), asked me if he could bat at three. I said to him it was his day and to enjoy himself. I knew what he was capable of doing and very happy for him. He is batting at three going forward definitely (smiles). He asked for it,” he said.
The Indian veteran Hardik Pandya has reclaimed the No. 1 ranking in the T20 All-rounder category while his teammate Tilak Varma has also made a huge jump and secured a spot into the top 10 on the latest ICC men’s T20I rankings.
Hardik Pandya pushed down England smasher Liam Livingstone and Nepal’s Dipendra Singh Airee to the top after a strong performance during India’s tour of South Africa.
His 39* runs in the second game helped the side to balance India’s innings. During the finals contest, he bagged a wicket from three overs during the decisive fourth contest ensure the Asian side claimed an impressive 3-1 triumph.
This is the second time Hardik Pandya has claimed no.1 rankings for T20 all-rounders, with the consistent India performer first rising to the top at the end of the year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
