Never seen before? Tilak Varma's casual approach leads to bizarre run-out

Tilak Varma was involved in an unusual run-out during the third T20I against West Indies (Image credit: Agencies)

NEW DELHI: India batter Tilak Varma was involved in an unusual run-out during the third T20I against West Indies on Sunday after a misunderstanding with Axar Patel cost him his wicket. The incident took place in the 17th over, with Gudakesh Motie bowling to Axar. The Indian all-rounder flicked a low full toss towards deep backward square leg, where Kamil Pooran dived to prevent the ball from reaching the boundary.

How Tilak Varma got run out

Tilak and Axar seemed convinced that Pooran had touched the boundary rope while attempting the save. Assuming that the ball would be called a four, the two batters completed a single before exchanging a fist bump in the middle of the pitch. However, Pooran had managed to stop the ball just before it reached the boundary and quickly returned it to the field. Axar, who was facing the delivery, realised the situation and grounded his bat at the non-striker's end just in time. Tilak, meanwhile, continued walking towards his crease, unaware that the ball was still in play. Motie collected the ball and broke the stumps at the bowler's end. The third umpire reviewed the incident, first confirming that Pooran had made a clean save before ruling Tilak run out. Tilak departed after scoring 28 off 16 balls, including four fours, as India's lack of awareness led to an unusual dismissal.

India recover after Tilak's dismissal

Despite losing Tilak in the closing stages, India posted 223 in their 20 overs. Abhishek Sharma provided the biggest contribution with a 30-ball 69, including five sixes. Abhishek and Ishan Kishan put on 108 runs off just 40 balls. Kishan scored 37 off 18 deliveries before Roston Chase stumped him. Chase also dismissed India captain Shreyas Iyer lbw for one. The two wickets triggered a mini-collapse, with India losing four wickets for 20 runs to slip to 135/5.

Arshdeep and Dhir guide India to victory

West Indies had chased down a target of 250 in the second T20I, but India bounced back in the third match to win by 14 runs and take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. Arshdeep Singh picked up three wickets for 44 runs, while Naman Dhir claimed two for 39 as West Indies finished on 209/7.

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Pooran scored 42 and Shimron Hetmyer made 43, adding 60 runs for the second wicket. Dhir dismissed both batters to put India back in control during the middle overs. Sherfane Rutherford scored 32 off 20 balls, while Shamar Springer remained unbeaten on 35 off just 11 deliveries. Springer struck three sixes in the final over against Axar Patel, but West Indies fell short of the target. After the match, India captain Shreyas Iyer praised the confidence shown by his bowlers. "It was wonderful to see the bowlers being confident," India captain Shreyas Iyer said after the game. "The clarity was very much visible when I was interacting. They were ready to take up the challenge, and that's what we want." India had won the series opener by eight wickets in Lucknow before West Indies levelled the contest with a six-wicket victory in Ranchi. Sunday's win put India back in front at 2-1. The fourth T20I will be played in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

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