'Tilak Varma needs huge praise' - Brad Hogg extols young batter despite MI's exit from IPL 2023

Defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT), on Friday, May 26, outplayed five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) in the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) Qualifier 2 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Hardik Pandya's men were instrumental in the clash as they registered a 62-run win over Mumbai. With this win, GT qualified for the IPL 2023 final, where they will meet four-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Ahmedabad on May 28.

Speaking about the clash, batting first, GT posted a mammoth 233 runs in 20 overs, thanks to Shubman Gill's 60-ball 129-run knock. Meanwhile, Piyush Chawla and Akash Madhwal grabbed one wicket each for the five-time champions.

During the chase, Cameron Green (30 off 20) and Suryakumar Yadav (61 off 38) attempted to steady the innings after MI's top-order struggled with the bat. Tilak Varma also played a brilliant cameo, scoring a quick 43 off 14 deliveries, including five fours and three sixes. However, their efforts went in vain as GT bundled out MI for 171 runs in 18.2 overs. In addition, Mohit Sharma was instrumental for GT, as he finished with figures of 5/10 in 2.2 overs.

Former Australian cricketer Brad Hogg took to Twitter and praised young MI batter Tilak, who played a crucial knock in Qualifier 2. Hogg stated that Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav were outstanding during the match but Tilak needs huge praise, calling him a 'hidden gem.'

"Gill & Sky were exceptional, but Tilak Varma is a name that needs huge praise. His adaptability to scenarios is his strength to note. 43 off 14 balls under pressure against a quality new ball bowler was class. Hidden gem. #MIvGT," Hogg tweeted.

See the tweet:

Brad Hogg@Brad_Hogg

Gill & Sky were exceptional, but Tilak Varma is a name that needs huge praise. His adaptability to scenarios is his strength to note. 43 off 14 balls under pressure against a quality new ball bowler was class. Hidden gem. #MIvGT

08:39 AM · May 27, 2023

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Tilak Varma has been instrumental in Mumbai's accomplishments in the lucrative league this year. The 20-year-old amassed 343 runs in 11 innings, including a half-century at an average of 42.87 and a strike rate of 164.11. In addition, he completed the season as the Mumbai-based franchise's fourth-highest run scorer.