Follow UsTilak Varma has seized his opportunity big time as the left-hander continued his dazzling run in the County Championship for Hampshire with a second century on July 24 (Thursday). The Mumbai Indians batter brought up his second County cricket century, in the all-important clash against Nottinghamshire, to keep Hampshire alive.
At 111/2 in pursuit of 579, Tilak and Hampshire were in a spot of bother, as more wickets would have seen them fold and hand the opposition points for a first-innings lead. Tough situation brought out the best in Tilak, though, as the left-hander played a well-grafted innings, with 112 off 256 deliveries.
It wasn’t the first time that Tilak had shown his batting prowess in England, as the left-hander had scores of 56 and 47 in his last clash against Worcestershire and 100 on debut against Essex.
All he did was continue the same form, against a tough bowling attack that consisted of Pakistan international Mohammad Abbas and England international Josh Tongue among other names. Tilak was the last batter to fall on the day, as Hampshire found themselves in a tricky position, at 367/6, still needing 211 runs to wipe off the first-innings deficit.
“It was a good innings, to be frank, because we lost crucial wickets at the wrong moment. It was important for me to stay there, and I’m happy that it went well today,” Tilak said after the day’s play in a video posted by Hampshire.