Tilak Varma to play four matches in England, set to make his debut on June 22

The Hyderabad-born young batter, Tilak Varma, has joined the list of several batters who have taken the County route to improve their red-ball cricket.

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Tilak Varma

Tilak Varma during the Indian national cricket team training session at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium on November 07, 2024 in Durban, South Africa.

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Tilak Varma averages over 50 in first-class cricket.

Tilak Varma will make his Hampshire debut against Essex.

Tilak will return to India in August ahead of limited-overs series against Bangladesh.

Young Indian batter Tilak Varma has signed a four-match deal with Hampshire to play in the County Championship Division Two 2025. The County confirmed the signing on June 18. The 22-year-old Hyderabad-born batter will make his Hampshire debut against Essex at County Ground, Chelmsford on June 22.

Varma will also play against Worcestershire, Nottinghamshire and Worcestershire. His maiden County stint is likely to end on August 1 or before.

"It's fantastic to have Tilak available for the next four County Championship matches," Giles White, Hampshire's Director of Cricket, said. "He's an exciting talent who has already made a big impact on the international stage and in the IPL, and we look forward to seeing what he can do for Hampshire this summer."

 

 

Currently, Hampshire are at the bottom half of the table with 82 points. From seven games, they have won two, lost two whereas three ended in a draw.

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Tilak's first-class record

Varma has played 18 first-class games. The southpaw has scored 1,204 runs from 28 innings at an average of 50.16. He has five centuries and four half-centuries. He is a part-time spinner as well and has bagged eight wickets at an average of 12.87. His last first-class appearance was in Duleep Trophy 2024, where he registered scores of 5 and 19 for India A. Despite his low scores, India A went on to win the match by 132 runs.

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Tilak has toured England before as well for red-ball cricket. He has represented India A against England Lions in 2024. 

Tilak's recent form

In the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, Varma was not at his best. From 13 innings, he scored 343 runs at an average of 31.18, including two half-cenutries. His strike rate was 138.30.

Tilak's T20I and ODI record 

Tilak made his India debut in 2023. He has played 25 T20Is so far and averages nearly 50. The youngster has scored 749 runs at a strike rate of 155.07. He has two T20I centuries and three fifties. In ODIs, he has got four chances. He has scored just 68 runs, including a half-century.

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