Tilak Varma drew all the attention in the recently concluded four-match T20I series between India and South Africa, knocking two centuries back to back in Centurion and Johannesburg respectively.
Tilak was the highest run-scorer in the concluded series with a tally of 280 runs scored in four innings at a remarkable average of 140 and a strike rate of 198.58. His exceptional performance saw him rise to the number 3 position in the ICC T20I batting rankings.
This is the first time he has appeared in the top 10. Only Travis Head and Phil Salt are ranked above him. Thanks to the blazing form, Tilak rose 69 places in the ranking. On the downside, the same Surya Kumar Yadav had a disappointing series. As he could only make 26 runs in three trips, he went down to the 4th position.
Tilak Varma dethrones SuryaKumar Yadav:
Image Source: The Indian Express
Sanju Samson also did well for centuries in the series but failed in the other two games as well. The wicketkeeper-batter from Kerala rose up the rankings, moving up 17 places to 22nd. The recent trajectory of his performances indicates that he has been in very good form lately and that the team management has favored him.
Yashasvi Jaiswal is the only other Indian batter in the T20I rankings' top 10. He has not been involved in T20 cricket since July yet the batter from Mumbai occupies the eighth position.
Hardik Pandya rose back to claim the number one position of the T20I all-rounders rankings, dethroning Liam Livingstone of England. In the series against South Africa, the Baroda all-rounder scored 59 runs and picked two wickets.
2024 did a lot of wonders for India in terms of T20Is. The team led by Rohit Sharma won 24 out of 26 matches, including the second T20 World Cup title for the team in the month of June that year.
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