Indian middle-order batsman Tilak Varma reached a major personal milestone during the second T20 match against West Indies in Ranchi. With an aggressive display with the bat, Tilak completed 5000 career runs in T20 cricket, overtaking Virat Kohli in the list of fastest Indian players to achieve the feat.
Edging Past Virat Kohli by a Single Innings
Tilak reached the 5000-run mark in his 166th T20 innings. In comparison, Kohli had crossed the threshold in 167 innings. By reaching the milestone in one fewer outing, Tilak moved ahead of Kohli among the fastest Indian batsmen to compile 5000 runs in the shortest format of the game.
Fastest Indian Batters to Reach 5000 T20 Runs
KL Rahul remains the quickest Indian batsman to score 5000 T20 runs, having achieved the landmark in just 143 innings. Ruturaj Gaikwad occupies the second spot after reaching the target in 145 innings, while Shubman Gill stands third with 154 innings. Abhishek Sharma sits in fourth place after achieving the milestone in 165 innings, followed closely by Tilak with his 166 outings.
A Decisive Cameo of 44 Off 18 Balls
In the Ranchi fixture against West Indies, Tilak played a blistering knock, remaining unbeaten on 44 runs from just 18 deliveries. His aggressive knock featured 3 boundaries and 3 sixes, providing India with valuable acceleration in the death overs.
India Post Impressive 249 on the Board
Tilak was not the only batter to score rapidly in the encounter. Captain Shreyas Iyer contributed a fast-paced 40 runs from 18 deliveries, also hitting 3 boundaries and 3 sixes. Earlier in the innings, opening batter Sanju Samson laid a strong foundation by hammering 82 runs from 41 deliveries, punctuated by 9 boundaries and 4 sixes. Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan chipped in with 43 off 22 balls, while Abhishek Sharma added 20, driving India to a commanding total of 249 runs.
