Tilak Varma breaks record, makes 3rd successive T20 ton

Tilak Varma became the first batter ever to notch three successive hundreds in T20s, while Shreyas Iyer underlined his credentials with a smooth century ahead of the IPL mega auction, as the two Indian batters hogged the limelight in the first round of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

In a Group A match, Tilak, who made hundreds recently against South Africa at Centurion and Johannesburg, added one more three-figure knock to the list against Meghalaya in Rajkot.

The left-hander made 151 off just 67 balls with 14 fours and 10 sixes to guide Hyderabad to 248/4 in 20 overs. In the process, he also became the first Indian male cricketer to score a 150-plus score in T20s. India woman batter Kiran Navgire had made a 162 for Nagaland against Arunachal Pradesh in the senior Women’s T20 Trophy in 2022.

Shreyas, who was released by Kolkata Knight Riders despite leading them to the IPL 2024 title, gave a timely reminder about his skills with an unbeaten 57-ball 130 (11x4, 10x6) for Mumbai against Goa in a Group E match.

Shreyas’ hundred led Mumbai to 250/4, but Goa made a spirited chase before ending up at 224/8.

Shami fails to shine

Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami’s first white ball outing since the 2023 World Cup final was below par but Bengal survived a fine all-round effort by Arshdeep Singh to eke out a four-wicket win over Punjab.

Shami returned with figures of 1/46 in Punjab’s total of 179 all out in 19.4 overs.

The Bengal man earlier made his red-ball return in a Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh and was impressive while picking up seven wickets.

In reply, Shahbaz Ahmed made a 49-ball 100 as Bengal overcame a good spell by pacer Arshdeep (2/21 in 3 overs) to reach the target with an over to spare.

Hardik leads Baroda

All-rounder Hardik Pandya hammered a 74 off 35 balls (6x4, 5x6) as Baroda scored a five-wicket win over Gujarat.

Earlier, Hardik also took a wicket while conceding 37 runs in four overs as Gujarat made 184/5.

Axar Patel made an unbeaten 43 off 33 balls. But in bowling, the India left-arm spinner could not pick up any wicket while giving away 31 runs in his full quota of overs.

Leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi took two wickets.

India left-hander Rinku Singh made 70 off 38 balls (8x4, 4x6) but Uttar Pradesh failed to chase down Delhi’s 233/3. UP made 186/8.