Recently, the Centre of Excellence (CoE) of the BCCI granted Tilak Varma the right to resume playing and have a warm-up match with the United States before the 2026 T20 World Cup. He was also out of action since a month undergoing testicular surgery because of injury he had sustained during a Ranji Trophy match in January.
On Monday, February 2, the southpaw was selected to the team of India A to play the United States in the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. The visiting team won the toss played by Monank Patel who decided to field first. Priyansh Arya made an early impression and was then sent home in the fourth over.
Tilak Varma came out to bat, joining Narayan Jagadeesan at the crease. As Jagadeesan attacked the USA bowlers, the former was able to get some time in the middle. Tilak scored only 10 runs off his first eight balls. In the ninth over, he pounded Harmeet Singh for two 17-run hits.
Shubham Ranjane eventually dismissed Tilak in the fourteenth over. The Hyderabad hitter scored 38 runs off 24 balls, including three fours and two sixes. He was caught by the wicketkeeper, resulting in a strike rate of 158.33.
This knock will boost the 23-year-old’s confidence as he prepares to join the Indian side for their only warm-up match against South Africa.
Jagadeesan slams whirlwind ton in warm-up game
Jagadeesan had a good debut with India A at the very top of the order. The Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper-batter made 104 out of 55 balls, of which 11 were fours and four sixes. Ayush Badoni was the other player who hit the captains knock and scored 60 in 26 balls with six fours and four sixes.
There were nine options of bowling, which were not unique in the United States. India A had a staggering total of 238/3. Some bowlers are desirous of showing their skills during the second innings of India A. quick Mayank Yadav will be one of them.
