Young India National Cricket Team batsman Tilak Varma pulled off an exceptional save to deny a certain six to the South Africa National Cricket Team batsman Aiden Markram.
The incident happened during the second ODI of the three-match series between the India National Cricket Team and the South Africa National Cricket Team at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur.
Tilak Varma shows unreal fielding effort in Raipur
The 23-year-old Tilak is regarded as one of the best fielders in the Indian team, and he has time and again pulled off blinders to prove his credentials on the field.
Your daily dose of cricket!
He covers the ground very well and rarely misses any chances on the field. Tilak Varma is currently part of India’s ODI squad for the series against the Proteas, but he hasn’t got an opportunity in the playing XI even in the absence of Shreyas Iyer.
It was expected that he would be batting at No.4 against the Proteas, but that didn’t happen as the Gautam Gambhir-led team management decided to give that spot to Ruturaj Gaikwad.
However, Tilak Varma has been given the opportunity to do substitute fielder duties, and he has managed to impress everyone with his efforts.
The best of Tilak was seen in the 20th over of the second innings in Raipur when he pulled off a Superman-esque save to deny Aiden Markram a six.
On the fourth ball of the over, Kuldeep Yadav bowled a flighted delivery to Aiden Markram, who cleared his leg and smashed the ball towards long-on.
Tilak quickly managed to come under the ball, leaped up for the catch near the boundary, but when he realised that he won’t be able to complete it, he managed to throw the ball back inside the boundary, saving 5 runs in the process.
Tilak Varma defies gravity, steals six away from Aiden Markram
TILAK VARMA WITH THE CRAZIEST SAVES. 🥶pic.twitter.com/1IER0MVotS
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 3, 2025
ODI and Test cricket feel like my game because I enjoy the longer format – Tilak Varma
The young left-handed batter Tilak, while speaking ahead of the match, said that he enjoys playing longer formats more than T20 cricket. He also revealed the influence Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have had on his career.
“ODI and Test cricket feel like my game because I enjoy the longer format. I’m really excited to play more ODIs as well. When Rohit bhai and Virat bhai are in the same team, the confidence level is completely different,” Tilak said on JioStar.
“They have so much experience and knowledge, and I try to take as much advice from them as possible to get better,” Tilak said.
“I speak to Virat bhai a lot, especially about fitness and running between the wickets. His intensity is incredible. I love running too, and I feel I’m pretty quick, so I really enjoy that part of the game. If we play together, running between the wickets with him is something I look forward to,” the 23-year-old added.
Also Read: Team India’s new jersey for T20 World Cup 2026 revealed; Rohit Sharma delivers powerful speech
