Tilak Varma was dismissed in an unusual run-out during India’s third T20I against the West Indies in Indore after briefly losing concentration and finding himself stranded outside his crease. The left-handed batter scored 28 runs off 16 deliveries, hitting four boundaries, before a remarkable chain of events ended his innings.
The incident took place when Axar Patel flicked a low full toss from Gudakesh Motie towards deep backward square leg. Kamil Pooran raced across the field, dived and stopped the ball from reaching the boundary, managing to push it back into play.
Assuming the ball had crossed the boundary for four runs, Axar and Tilak completed a single and started exchanging glove punches in the middle of the pitch. However, Pooran had kept the ball in play, allowing the West Indies to react quickly and take advantage of the situation.
Axar, who had a clear view of the play, managed to get his bat inside the crease at the non-striker’s end as Shai Hope attempted the run-out. Tilak, however, seemed oblivious to the threat and remained outside his crease. The ball was thrown to Motie, who dislodged the bails at the bowler’s end.
After reviewing the incident, the third umpire confirmed that Pooran had prevented the ball from reaching the boundary and declared Tilak run out.
HOW INDIA COLLAPSED AFTER A STRONG START
India began their innings aggressively against the West Indies in the third T20I in Indore, racing to 87/1 during the powerplay as Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan attacked the bowlers relentlessly. Abhishek hammered 69 off just 30 deliveries, bringing up his half-century in only 18 balls, while Ishan added a rapid 37 from 18 balls.
The momentum changed sharply when Roston Chase stumped Ishan before dismissing Shreyas Iyer lbw for just one run. Abhishek was dismissed soon afterwards, mistiming a pull shot against Shamar Springer and departing for 69. India lost three wickets for just nine runs in 10 deliveries, giving the West Indies an opportunity to fight their way back into the match.
Naman Dhir briefly accelerated the scoring with a six but was dismissed for 10. Nitish Kumar Reddy scored 21 from 14 balls before losing his wicket, after which Tilak Varma’s lapse in concentration led to his run-out.
Axar Patel contributed 20 runs before being dismissed in another run-out, while Arshdeep Singh scored 11. The lower order failed to restore control of the innings, although Prince Yadav struck three boundaries in the final over to add some late runs.
India eventually finished on 223 after losing their final nine wickets despite their explosive start. A total that had appeared capable of exceeding 250 became a more modest target of 224, as the West Indies bowlers took full advantage of India’s middle-order collapse.
