Delhi: Left -handed Indian batsman Tilak Verma played a century against Essex in his debut match playing for Hampshire at the county championship. The match is being played at Chelmsford’s County Ground from Tuesday.

Batting at number 4, Tilak completed his sixth first class century in 239 balls, playing ahead of his previous day score 98 runs. However, soon after scoring a century, he was dismissed by scoring 100 runs (11 fours and 3 sixes in 241 balls, 11 fours and 3 sixes) off the South African off -spinner Simon Humper.

The Hyderabad batsman shared a significant 133 -run partnership for the fifth wicket with England international player Liam Dawson. Dawson scored his 18th first class century during this period.

Tilak scored 3 centuries in the Ranji Trophy for Hyderabad, 1 century against New Zealand A for India A and 1 century in the Dalip Trophy last year. Although he made his debut in first class cricket in 2019, all his 6 centuries have come within the last three years (since September 2022).

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season was not special for the Mumbai Indians (Mi) player, where he scored only 343 runs in 13 innings at an average of 31.8 and a strike rate of 138.30 and scored only two half -centuries.