India batter Tilak Varma made a memorable County Championship debut as the Southpaw smashed a century on his Hampshire Debut.

He remained unbeaten on 98 against Essex on the opening day, completing his sixth first-class century on the second day. He got dismissed right after reaching his milestone as Dean Elgar caught him off Simon Harmer’s bowling.

Tilak Varma made a patient knock after coming to the crease while facing the hat-trick ball. He showed remarkable restraint during a 241 ball vigil to help Hampshire build a measured response to Essex’s first innings total of 296.

Tilak Varma has played four ODIs and 25 T20Is for India and has impressed for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL. He has signed deal with Hampshire to feature in four County Championship matches for Hampshire.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiF6y6qsmcM

“Test Cricket is my favourite format,” said Tilak Varma on Hampshire Cricket’s YouTube channel.

“I was waiting for this opportunity. I am ranked third in T20Is and everyone thinks that I am a T20 specialist. But for a long time, I’ve been saying that I am a good Test batter as well. I Love to play close to the body and enjoy being challenged,” said Tilak Varma.

Tilak has scored three tons for Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy, one for India A against New Zealand A and another in the Duleep Trophy last year.

Though he made his first class debut in 2019, all six of Tilak’s multi-day cricket centuries have come in last three years since September 2022.

He managed to score only 343 runs in 13 innings at an average of 31.8 and strike rate of 138.30 and smashed only two fifties.

Earlier Ishan Kishan also played well on his County Cricket debut and scored 87 runs off 98 deliveries which was in start contrast to Varma’s knock as he smashed 12 fours and a six in his knock against Yorkshire.