Tilak Varma Smashes Records with Unstoppable 151 in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
Tilak Varma has been in sensational form, cementing his status as one of India’s most promising young batters. After scoring consecutive unbeaten centuries in the T20I series against South Africa, the 22-year-old left-hander from Hyderabad added another remarkable performance to his tally.
On November 23, Tilak smashed a blistering 151 off just 67 balls in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) match between Hyderabad and Meghalaya at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot.
During his fiery innings, Tilak hit 14 fours and 10 sixes, breaking several records and setting new milestones in T20 cricket.
His 151 is now the highest individual score by an Indian batter in T20 cricket, surpassing Shreyas Iyer’s 147 against Sikkim in the 2019 SMAT.
Hyderabad Posts a Mammoth Total
Thanks to Tilak’s extraordinary performance, Hyderabad posted an imposing total of 248/4 in their 20 overs.
His partnerships were equally impressive, as he added 122 runs for the second wicket with Tanmay Agarwal (55) and another 84 runs for the third wicket with Buddhi Rahul (30). Tilak’s innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, maintaining a phenomenal strike rate of 225.37.
Notably, Tilak reached his half-century in just 28 balls and completed his century in 51 deliveries. Out of his total runs, 76.82% came in boundaries, and he played only 11 dot balls throughout his innings.
This remarkable display not only etched his name in the record books but also underscored his potential as one of the world’s most explosive batters.
First Indian Male Cricketer to Score 150 in T20 Cricket
Tilak’s 151-run knock marked a historic achievement as he became the first Indian male cricketer to score over 150 runs in a T20 match.
While Kiran Navgire holds the record in women’s cricket with an unbeaten 162 for Nagaland against Arunachal Pradesh in the 2022 Senior Women’s T20 Trophy, Tilak’s feat is unparalleled in men’s T20 cricket in India.
Additionally, Tilak became the first batter in history to score three consecutive centuries in T20 cricket. Before his SMAT heroics, he had scored 107* in Centurion and 120* in Johannesburg during the four-match T20I series against South Africa.
Record-Breaking ICC Rankings and Milestones
Following his extraordinary performances in South Africa, Tilak climbed 69 spots to secure the third position in the ICC T20I Men’s Batting Rankings. He now trails only Travis Head and Phil Salt.
Tilak’s 280 runs in four matches during the South Africa series also broke Virat Kohli’s record for the most runs by an Indian batter in a bilateral T20I series. Kohli had scored 231 runs in a five-match series against England in 2021.
Tilak’s prolific form has also been instrumental in his domestic success. So far, he has accumulated over 2,950 runs in 90 T20 innings, including four centuries. This level of consistency has made him a prized asset in both domestic and international cricket.
Mumbai Indians’ Faith in Tilak Varma
Tilak’s performances have justified his retention by Mumbai Indians (MI) for INR 8 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.
MI’s decision to retain him alongside stalwarts like Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, and Rohit Sharma highlights his growing stature in Indian cricket. His explosive batting style and ability to deliver under pressure make him a key player for MI in the upcoming IPL season.
Eyes on the Upcoming T20I Series Against England
As Tilak Varma continues to dazzle in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he will aim to carry his form into the five-match T20I series against England in January.
With his current purple patch, Tilak has emerged as India’s top-rated T20I batter, and fans are eager to see him perform on the international stage once again.
