Tilak Varma rises to career-best No. 2 in ICC T20I Rankings after Chennai heroics-OxBig News Network

India’s young batting sensation, Tilak Varma, has reached a new milestone in his T20I career, securing his career-best ICC Men’s T20I batting ranking at No. 2. The 22-year-old’s recent performances for India have propelled him past England’s Phil Salt, moving him one step closer to the top spot currently held by Australia’s Travis Head.

Tilak, who previously occupied the No. 3 rank, showcased his brilliance in the second T20I against England in Chennai. His unbeaten 72 off 55 balls proved instrumental in India’s narrow two-wicket victory, a knock that significantly contributed to his rise in the rankings. Despite an underwhelming 18-run knock in India’s third T20I defeat in Rajkot on January 28, his consistency over the past few months has cemented his place amongst the world’s best T20 batters.

As of the latest ICC rankings update, Tilak holds 832 rating points, just 23 behind Head’s 855. With two more matches left in the ongoing five-match series against England, the young left-hander has a golden opportunity to surpass the Australian and claim the No. 1 spot.

India’s Presence in the Top 10

India continues to have a strong representation in the ICC Men’s T20I batting rankings, with multiple players in the top 10. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav, a former No. 1 T20I batter, currently sits at No. 4, while Yashasvi Jaiswal has dropped one spot to No. 9, with Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan taking his place at No. 8.

Tilak Varma’s T20I Brilliance

Since his promotion to No. 3 in the Indian batting order during the South Africa series last year, Tilak has been in remarkable form. He has remained unbeaten in four of his last five T20I innings, accumulating 336 runs. His twin centuries against South Africa further solidified his reputation as a dependable and composed batter under pressure.

His ability to absorb pressure and play calculated strokes was on full display in the Chennai T20I. With India’s top order collapsing, Tilak anchored the chase, ensuring victory with a mix of controlled aggression and intelligent shot selection.

Top 10 ICC T20I Batters (as of January 29)

1. Travis Head
2. Tilak Varma
3. Phil Salt
4. Suryakumar Yadav
5. Jos Buttler
6. Babar Azam
7. Pathum Nissanka
8. Mohammad Rizwan
9. Yashasvi Jaiswal
10. Kusal Perera

With the T20 World Cup 2026 approaching, Tilak’s continued rise in form and rankings bodes well for India’s chances, making him a key player in their title ambitions.