Tilak Varma scores century on County debut, makes strong case for Test call-up

For those who’ve only seen Tilak Varma as a T20 batter, Hampshire’s County Championship clash against Essex offered a different story. Varma, one of India’s brightest young talents in white-ball cricket, has now taken a major step towards fulfilling his red-ball ambitions. The 22-year-old left-hander brought up his maiden County Championship century, making a composed century after resuming Day 3 on 98*.

Tilak Varma masterclass

Coming in under pressure at 11/2 with England pacer Sam Cook on a hat-trick, Varma showed the kind of temperament and technique that you’d want in a red-ball batter. His 100 came off 239 deliveries and included 11 boundaries and 3 sixes. Even in the IPL, Tilak looked like a complete batter and hence it hasn’t come as a surprise that he’s done phenomenally well.

He stitched together key partnerships with Fletcha Middleton (52 runs), skipper Ben Brown (43 runs), and most crucially, a 129-run unbeaten stand with Liam Dawson, who supported him well with 79 off 132 balls. Tilak’s innings was a masterclass in playing close to the body, leaving with discipline, and respecting the conditions. He was particularly impressive against off-spinner Simon Harmer, refusing to give him anything easy on a turning surface.

“I always say Test cricket is my favourite”

Speaking after reaching the milestone, Varma said, “I always say that Test cricket is my favourite game. I was waiting for this opportunity. Being a world no.3 batsman in T20Is, everybody thinks I am a good T20 batter. But I know, and I have been saying this for a long time, I am a good Test player. I love playing Test cricket, playing close to the body, being challenged, especially in English conditions. It was cold weather today in the morning so the ball was moving a bit and turning.”

Varma has now joined the elite list of Indian batters to score a century on County debut — after Piyush Chawla, Murali Vijay and Ajinkya Rahane.

Tilak Varma’s first-class stats

Playing for Hyderabad in domestic cricket, Tilak has scored over 1200 runs in 18 first-class games at an average of 50.16, with five centuries and four fifties. He has also featured for India A in the Duleep Trophy and the England Lions series in early 2024.

It is safe to say that Tilak chose the right time to join a County side, since India’s upcoming domestic season won’t start until late August. Signing for a four-match deal, Tilak will be eligible to play until the Worcestershire game that ends on August 1.