India’s young sensation Tilak Varma revealed what motivated him to go all guns blazing and play a whirlwind in the 4th T20I against South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on November 15, Friday. Recalling his last time playing at the Wanderers Stadium during the 2023 T20I series, Tilak said he took the motivation from his golden duck and scripted his redemption at the stadium. Tilak won the Player of the Match award for his scintillating hundred as India beat South Africa by a huge margin of 135 runs in the fourth and final T20I match of the series.

“Actually I wanted to tell you a funny thing, last year when I played here I got out first ball. This innings was very crucial for the team and the series. (on his plans for today) just wanted to keep my form and follow my basics about what i scored in the last match. it’s an unbelievable feeling. two hundreds in south africa. thanks to our captain surya for this i was injured in the last matches i believe God and my process, that’s why I celebrated like that for God,” Tilak said in the presentation ceremony after the match.

IND vs SA 4th T20I: Report | Highlights

Tilak shines with bat

World T20 champions India ended their year in the format with a 3–1 series win over hosts South Africa. Tilak Varma made the most of the opportunity presented at No.3, which is Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav’s usual spot. With his upward promotion, Tilak struck two hundred in a row in the 3rd and 4th matches of the series, making him the only Indian and 5th overall player to do so.

Samson-Tilak massacre

Tilak, along with Sanju Samson, unleashed carnage on the South African pacers as the duo shared a record 210-run partnership, the highest for India in the shortest format. The 22-year-old became the youngest centurion in T20Is with his hundred in Centurion and contributed a 120-run knock in the series finale to win the Player of the Series award.