THIS star emerges as India’s New Chase Master, surpassing legend Virat Kohli in key T20I metric

Star batter Tilak Varma is fast emerging as India’s new chase master in T20Is, surpassing Virat Kohli in this feat.

Remember the Asia Cup 2025 final? Team India was in a tight spot against Pakistan when a young player stepped up and led the side to victory. It appeared that India had found a new chase-master. His performance was equally impressive in the third T20 International of the series against South Africa, played in Dharamshala. Although the target was not very high, the young Indian batter ensured the chase did not become dramatic. That player was Tilak Varma.

Virat Kohli has retired from T20 cricket. For years, Kohli scripted many of India’s memorable victories in the format and was regarded as one of the finest chasers the game has seen. After Kohli’s departure, India needed a batter who could maintain composure in pressure situations and keep the team on track. Tilak Varma appears to be fulfilling that role admirably.

Varma’s statistics better than Kohli’s

Among batters who have scored at least 500 runs while chasing in T20 Internationals, Tilak Varma has the highest average. In this regard, he has surpassed Virat Kohli. Among players from full member teams, Varma now sits ahead of Virat Kohli in terms of batting average while chasing.

Varma has scored 544 runs in 16 innings across 18 matches at an average of 68.00. Kohli, on the other hand, scored 2013 runs in 54 matches at an average of 67.10. Varma has scored four half-centuries during this period, while Kohli scored 20.

Dhoni the finisher at number three

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is third on this list. Widely regarded as one of the best finishers in this format, Dhoni scored 668 runs in 46 matches while chasing, at an average of 47.71. South Africa’s JP Duminy follows with an average of 45.55, while Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara batted averaged 44.93 while chasing.

Number three suits Tilak Varma

Tilak Varma also seems to be addressing another long-standing question in India’s T20 batting order – who should bat at number three. Based on his performances, Varma looks like a strong contender for the position. He has scored 468 runs at an average of 58.5 in 14 innings batting at number three in T20 Internationals, including two centuries and two half-centuries.

Varma’s excellent record against South Africa

Tilak Varma also enjoys batting against South Africa. Among Indian batters who have scored more than 300 runs in T20 I, he holds the highest average against a single team, batting at an impressive average of 70.50 against South Africa.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli has thrived against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the format. Kohli’s batting average against Pakistan in T20 Internationals stands at 70.28, while he averages 67.80 against Sri Lanka. KL Rahul and Virat Kohli have also scored freely against the West Indies, with Rahul averaging 58.83 and 57.00.