'It was for ...': Tilak Varma reveals whom his flying kiss was for

NEW DELHI:

Tilak Varma

, the rising star of Indian cricket, expressed his sincere appreciation for captain Suryakumar Yadav after his remarkable century in the third T20I against South Africa. Varma's exceptional knock of 107 not out off 56 balls steered India to an 11-run triumph, securing a 2-1 lead in the four-match series.
Varma revealed how Suryakumar, fondly called 'SKY,' generously offered him the No. 3 batting spot for the match, paving the way for Varma’s extraordinary performance.
"When Suryakumar knocked on my hotel room door and told me I’d bat at No. 3, I was filled with gratitude. He said, ‘Go out there and express yourself. It’s a good opportunity.’ I promised him that I wouldn’t let him down," Varma said after the match.

Staying true to his promise, Varma delivered a spectacular performance, reaching his century in just 51 balls, with his second fifty achieved in a mere 19 balls. His innings was highlighted by seven powerful sixes and eight fours, showcasing his batting prowess, particularly against his former Mumbai Indians teammate Gerald Coetzee, the fastest bowler of the day.
Upon reaching his century, Varma acknowledged his captain's gesture by blowing a flying kiss toward the Indian dugout, recognizing the faith entrusted in him.

"It was for 'SKY' because he gave me the chance to bat at number three. I love batting at that position, and I wanted to repay the trust he placed in me," he said.
Varma's 107-run partnership with young talent Abhishek Sharma, who contributed a crucial half-century, played a pivotal role in India's impressive total of 219/6.
Varma, the second-youngest Indian to score a century in T20I history, shared his experiences of battling injuries that led to him missing international tours to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka earlier this year.
"It was frustrating to miss two series because of finger injuries, but I knew my time would come. I stayed patient, focused on my process, and worked hard. Today, that hard work paid off," Varma said.
Recognized for his powerful batting, Varma is also diligently working on his off-spin, aiming to become a valuable all-rounder for the team.
"I've worked hard on my bowling. The ball is coming out well, and I want to be seen as an all-rounder who can contribute to the team's success," he added.