Tilak Varma Overtakes Virat Kohli in Run-Chasing Average, Cementing Status as India's Newest Chase Specialist

Tilak Varma, the young Indian batting sensation, has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing Virat Kohli's average in T20I run chases. At just 23 years old, Varma now holds the highest average in the world for this critical batting role, demonstrating remarkable composure and the ability to perform effectively under pressure.

Varma's rise in Indian cricket reached a symbolic peak in Dharamshala. His unbeaten 25 off 34 balls in the third T20I against South Africa may not have been the most explosive innings, but it guided India to a comfortable victory, reaching a target of 118 in 15.5 overs. More significantly, it elevated his statistics into the top tier.

That innings pushed Varma's average against South Africa in T20Is to 70.50. This is the highest for an Indian batter against a specific opponent, exceeding Kohli's 70.28 against Pakistan (with a minimum of 300 runs scored). That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. the more notable achievement lies in run chases. Varma now boasts an average of 68.0 in T20I chases (minimum 500 runs), surpassing Kohli's impressive 67.1 and leading the global rankings among Test-playing nations.

Like Kohli before him, Varma is establishing himself as a specialist in run chases. To date, he has accumulated 543 runs in 16 T20I innings while batting second, with a highest score of 72 not out, combining a calm approach with well-timed shot-making under pressure. In comparison, Kohli has scored 2013 runs in 48 T20I chases, averaging 67.10, with a best of 94 not out.

Varma's effectiveness is further highlighted by his consistency when batting at number three. In that position, he has amassed 468 runs in 14 innings, averaging 58.5 with a strike rate of 160.27, including two centuries and two fifties. The ongoing five-match series against South Africa has further displayed his excellent form. Varma has scored 113 runs in three matches, starting with 26 in the first match and a fluent 62 off 34 balls in the second T20I. In his T20I career, Tilak Varma now has 1110 runs from 39 matches at an average of 48.26 and a strike rate of 142.49, including two centuries and five fifties. At just 23 years old, the statistics suggest that India may have discovered its next great finisher, one who has already eclipsed the 'Chasemaster' himself.

• Highest average for India against a team in T20Is**
• 50 - Tilak Varma vs SA
• 28 - Virat Kohli vs PAK
• 8 - Virat Kohli vs SL
• 83 - KL Rahul vs WI
• 0 - Virat Kohli vs WI

*Min 300 runs scored

• Best batting average in T20I chases (min 500 runs)**
• 0 - Tilak Varma
• 1 - Virat Kohli
• 71 - MS Dhoni
• 55 - JP Duminy
• 93 - K Sangakkara