Rajkot, Nov 23 (Agency) Tilak Varma, on Saturday, set a new benchmark in T20 cricket, becoming the first Indian men’s cricketer to score three consecutive centuries in the format. The 22-year-old’s remarkable run continued as he blasted 151 off 67 balls for Hyderabad in their Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25 opener against Meghalaya, further cementing his status as one of the most exciting young talents in Indian cricket. Varma’s scintillating knock in Rajkot follows two outstanding centuries in South Africa — an unbeaten 107 in Centurion and a 120* in Johannesburg — showcasing his exceptional consistency and form. With this innings, he became the first Indian male cricketer to score a 150-plus total in a T20 match, a feat previously unmatched at the domestic level.
Although Kiran Navgire had set a higher benchmark with 162* for Nagaland in the 2022 Senior Women’s T20 Trophy, Tilak’s innings is a landmark achievement in men’s cricket. Batting at No. 3, he maintained a blistering strike rate of 225.37, hitting 14 fours and 10 sixes before falling on the final ball of the innings. His powerful assault included a 50 off 18 balls off medium pacer Dippu Sangma, with six fours and three sixes. His partnership of 122 runs for the second wicket off just 48 balls laid the foundation for Hyderabad’s highest Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy total of 248 for 4 — the fifth-highest total in the competition’s history. Having already earned a reputation in the IPL with Mumbai Indians, Varma was retained by the franchise ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, and his explosive form in domestic cricket only bolsters his value as a key player for the team.