India batter Tilak Varma credits the skipper Suryakumar Yadav with an opportunity to bat at No. 3 spot against South Africa in the third T20I, and capitalized on the chance by hitting his maiden hundred in the format.
Tilak thrashed 107 out of 56 balls, full of seven sixes and eight fours, to take India to 219 for six when asked to bat first. In return, the hosts fell eleven runs short of the visitors' total as India took a lead at 2-1 with the last match to be played in Johannesburg on Friday.
Elated on the century, Tilak derailed how Suryakumar approached him before the match for the No. 3 role. "I cannot put it in words. It was my dream to play for the country and the hundred came at the right time when the team needed it. All credit to Mr. Suryakumar Yadav, our captain.". He allowed me to bat at 3 and asked me to express myself. Thanks to him again, he said while receiving the Man of the Match award in the post-match presentation.
"I just back my basics. Pitch was two paced to start with and it wasn't easy for the new batters coming in when Abhishek got out. I was ready to bat long and was waiting for one partnership, " he added on his 107-run partnership with opener Abhishek Sharma, who scored 25-ball half-century.
Suryakumar too spoke about his version of the story and revealed that Tilak came to his room seeking batting elevation after the second T20I in Gqeberha. "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," said the India captain.
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