2nd T20I: Tilak Varma’s Unbeaten 72 Leads India to Exciting Two-Wicket Victory Over England

Chennai, Jan 25 (NationPress) Tilak Varma clinched the victory for India by scoring an impressive 72 not out, leading the home team to a dramatic two-wicket win over England in the second T20I at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday. This exhilarating victory also grants India a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

After limiting England to 165/5 during an innings where spinners bowled 14 overs, the joint second-highest in a men’s T20I match, India started aggressively but quickly found themselves at 78/5. England's bowlers delivered swift blows, executing their strategy effectively while the captain remained astute with his plans.

Tilak, who began with a fiery approach, adjusted his batting style to manage the pressure and notched his first T20I fifty in India without celebration. By capitalizing on the pace of England’s bowlers, he scored most of his runs behind the square, demonstrating remarkable composure while navigating the tail-enders and occasionally managing the strike.

After dominating the 16th over against Jofra Archer with 19 runs, Tilak maintained his cool and struck Jamie Overton through extra cover to secure the chase with four balls left, finishing the match unbeaten on 72 off 55 balls, which included four boundaries and five sixes. Following the victory, Tilak reveled in the adoration of the ecstatic Chepauk crowd, who witnessed a performance they will cherish, as the Vande Mataram song by AR Rahman resonated throughout the stadium.

The chase began with Abhishek Sharma smashing Jofra Archer for three boundaries in the first over, but he was soon trapped lbw by Mark Wood. Archer then dismissed Sanju Samson, who was caught in the deep after being hurried into a pull. Suryakumar Yadav started strong against England’s pace, hitting three quick boundaries, while Tilak showcased his aggression against Archer, slashing for four and pulling for two sixes.

He welcomed Brydon Carse with a pull over fine leg for six, but Suryakumar and Dhruv Jurel fell to Carse’s pace. India faced another setback when Hardik Pandya edged behind after attempting to cut Carse. With Buttler expertly rotating his bowlers, India found themselves in a precarious position. As Tilak anchored the innings, Washington Sundar managed to hit Overton for four before being dropped by Adil Rashid.

Tilak then targeted Wood's deliveries with a big pull for six, followed by two more fours over mid-off, bringing India back into contention. Although Axar Patel fell to Liam Livingstone, Tilak reverse-swept for a four and brought up his fifty by swiveling Archer for six. He then cut over point for another six, but England struck back by dismissing Arshdeep Singh.

In the end, Tilak secured the thrilling win with a stunning four, celebrating with pure joy. Earlier, England, batting first, saw captain Buttler score 45 and Brydon Carse contribute with a late 31, leading to a much-improved total of 165/9.

For India, Axar and Varun Chakaravarthy were the standout bowlers, taking 2-32 and 2-38 respectively. The innings began well for India as Arshdeep dismissed Phil Salt early on. Buttler's aggressive batting set the tone, hitting two fours and a six off Arshdeep. Sundar also made an impact, taking Duckett's wicket with a slower ball.

Despite Buttler's efforts, Harry Brook fell to Chakaravarthy, and as the innings progressed, Axar claimed Buttler's wicket. Debutant Jamie Smith made a brief impact with 22 runs, but Carse’s late innings fireworks propelled England past 160, yet it was not sufficient to overshadow Tilak’s magnificent performance.

Brief scores:

England: 165/9 in 20 overs (Jos Buttler 45, Brydon Carse 31; Axar Patel 2-32, Varun Chakaravarthy 2-38) lost to India: 166/8 in 19.2 overs (Tilak Varma 72 not out, Washington Sundar 26; Brydon Carse 3-29, Adil Rashid 1-14) by two wickets