Top-order Tilak Varma is on the verge of becoming first Indian to achieve a major milestone against South Africa in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 clash on February 22 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Varma needs four more runs to become first Indian to score 500 T20I runs against the Proteas.
Overall, Varma is fourth on the list of top T20I run-scorers against South Africa. The first spot is held by England's wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler with 606 runs from 21 innings, followed by Pakistan's Babar Azam (526 runs from 16 innings), and, England's out-of-favour batter Jonny Bairstow (501 runs from 14 innings).
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23-year-old Varma has an exceptional T20I record against the Proteas. From 10 innings, he has scored 496 runs at an average of 70.85 and strike rate of 163.15. He has two centuries and as many fifties against the Proteas.
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Varma can also become the third in India-South Arica T20I clashes to score 500 runs. David Miller (563 runs from 25 innings) and Quinton de Kock (507 runs from 14 innings) have already achieved the milestone.
Varma missing out on big scores after good starts
Earlier, in the warm-up game against South Africa, Varma had contributed with a 19-ball 45, featuring three sixes and as many fours.
But, in the ongoing T20 World Cup, he has not been able to convert starts into big scores. From four innings, he has scored 106 runs at an average of 26.50 and strike rate of 120.45.
Surya to surpass Rohit, Pandya to go past Kohli?
Meanwhile, skipper Suryakumar Yadav can surpass former captain Rohit Sharma's tally of T20I runs against South Africa. Rohit has 429 runs from 17 innings. Suryakumar is not to far behind with 406 runs from 14 innings. Also, Hardik Pandya may surpass Virat Kohli (394 runs from 13 innings) on the list. Pandya has 373 runs from 15 innings.