Suryakumar Yadav reveals how his 'sacrifice' played key role in Tilak Varma's T20I century

SA vs IND, 3rd T20I: Tilak Varma starred with the bat as India defeated South Africa by 11 runs in the third T20I at the SuperSport Park, Centurion. After Sanju Samson departed for a duck, the 22-year-old walked into bat and smashed his maiden international hundred.

Pairing up with another young left-hander Abhishek Sharma, the Hyderabad batter stitched a match-winning partnership of 107 runs for the second wicket.

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Match-winning partnership

While Tilak blasted an unbeaten 107 off 56 balls, Abhishek Sharma departed after scoring a fifty off 25 balls. Their blistering partnership propelled India to a massive total of 219/6 in 20 overs.

Batting under lights, the target was not out of reach but the Indian bowlers, led by Arshdeep Singh, picked wickets at regular intervals to keep the hosts at bay.

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Suryakumar Yadav's sacrifice for Tilak Varma

After batting at No. 4 in the previous two games, scoring 33 and 20, Tilak Varma was promoted up in the batting order and walked out to bat a position higher. After the match, skipper Suryakumar Yadav revealed that his sacrifice played a key role in Tilak Varma’s maiden T20I century as he vacated his spot for him.

Speaking at the post-match presentation, Suryakumar Yadav revealed that Tilak Varma came to his room after the second T20I and enquired if he could bat at number three spot as he wanted to do well.

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Tilak Varma keeps his promise

The Indian captain was dismissed cheaply but was happy that his sacrifice paid off as Tilak Varma made the most of the opportunity and produced a match-winning knock.

“What can I say about Tilak Varma! He came to me (in Gqeberha), and 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, and he delivered. Very happy for his family,” the Indian captain said after the match.

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With one match left, India have taken an insurmountable 2-1 lead in the four-match T20I series. The fourth and final match will be played at The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg on November 15.