Tilak Varma’s sensational performances in the four-match T20I series against South Africa have propelled him to No. 3 in the ICC T20I batting rankings, making him India’s highest-ranked batter in the format. The 21-year-old from Hyderabad delivered back-to-back centuries in Centurion and Johannesburg, finishing the series as the leading run-scorer with 280 runs at an extraordinary average of 140 and a strike rate of 198.58.
Tilak Varma surpasses Suryakumar Yadav in ICC T20I Rankings following back-to-back centuries
Tilak’s rise came after he requested skipper Suryakumar Yadav to bat at No. 3 following the second T20I. The captain obliged, and Tilak capitalized on the opportunity, cementing his place among the top T20I batters. His remarkable performances earned him a 69-place jump in the rankings, overtaking Suryakumar, who dropped to No. 4 after scoring just 26 runs in three innings.
Sanju Samson also shone with two centuries during the series, moving up 17 spots to 22nd in the rankings. Yashasvi Jaiswal remains the only other Indian in the top 10, holding the eighth position despite not featuring in T20Is since July.
In the all-rounder rankings, Hardik Pandya reclaimed the No. 1 spot, surpassing Liam Livingstone. Pandya scored 59 runs and picked up two wickets in the series, further solidifying his reputation as a key player.
India’s dominance in T20Is continues, with the team winning 24 of their 26 matches in 2024, including their second T20 World Cup title under Rohit Sharma’s leadership.
