Tilak Varma fell after scoring 99 (Source: @BCCIDomestic/X)
On Wednesday, Tilak Varma was dismissed on 99, a feat any batter tends to avoid after being well-set in the middle. In the process, he became one of the rare players in the history of India’s domestic red-ball competitions to be there at the receiving end of it.
By losing his wicket to Md Kounain Quraishi, Tilak became the fifth player to be dismissed on 99 in India’s primary red-ball competitions’ finals, including Duleep Trophy and Ranji Trophy. Before him, Abhishek Nayar, Shivakant Shukla, Ankit Sharma and Sujith Somasunder lost his wicket on the same score.
The 99 Club In India's Red-Ball Tournaments' Finals
Interestingly, Abhishek Nayar and Shivakant Shukla lost their respective wickets on 99 in the same final, during Ranji Trophy 2008/09 between Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh. While Nayar fell for 99 in Mumbai’s first innings, Shukla had the same during UP’s first innings.
Ankit Sharma, on the other hand, fell for 99 during last edition’s Duleep Trophy final. Ankit, playing for South Zone, was dismissed on the most unfortunate score when Central Zone’s Kumar Kartikeya got rid of him during the second innings.
Sujith Somasunder, meanwhile, was dismissed on 99 during the Ranji Trophy 1995/96 final between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Tilak Varma Falls For First Time Since July 11
Ever since Tilak lost his wicket after scoring 25-ball 53 during the fifth T20I match between India and England, he was not dismissed for not even once across any formats. It took place on July 11.
Also Read: Tilak Varma's Cheeky One-Liner Rattles Vaibhav Sooryavanshi In Duleep Trophy Final
After that in July last week, Tilak made 5-ball 6, 29-ball 60 and 9-ball 11 against Zimbabwe in a three-match T20I series, all as unbeaten. And he kept on being unbeaten in Duleep Trophy as well, scoring 51 and 116 as not out before finally losing his wicket on 99 in the Duleep Trophy final.
What's Next For Tilak?
Tilak, meanwhile, seemed to be in stupendous form in the Duleep Trophy. Being India’s T20I vice-captain, it is obvious that his name will be floated around for India’s Test set-up.
Tilak’s First-Class numbers are equally impressive, averaging 55.77 with 1729 runs in 37 red-ball innings before the Duleep Trophy 2026 final.
Nevertheless, it would be difficult for the BCCI to fast-track the 23-year-old in India’s Test set-up. Their middle order is currently stacked, with in-form Devdutt Padikkal, captain Shubman Gill, Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant being there, while Sai Sudharsan waiting on the wings.
Still, given how the BCCI functions of late, there won’t be any surprise if Tilak gets a Test call-up out of nowhere. Anyone who fails for two or three outings faces a threat to be dropped, and if that happens, Tilak, with an advantage of being a left-hander, could be there in India whites in the near future.
Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Dances In Joy As Tilak Varma-Tripurana Vijay Mix-up Sinks South Zone
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