Tilak Varma Finds Form as India A Beat USA by 38 Runs in World Cup Warm-Up

Tilak Varma marked his return to action with an encouraging all-round performance as India A defeated USA by 38 runs in a T20 World Cup warm-up match in Navi Mumbai. The left-hander, who recently recovered from testicular surgery, scored a brisk 38 off 24 balls and later chipped in with a wicket in a confidence-boosting outing ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.

India A’s victory was built on a commanding batting display that saw them pile up 238 for 3 in their 20 overs. Narayan Jagadeesan led the charge with a superb 55-ball 104, while captain Ayush Badoni finished unbeaten on 60 from 26 deliveries. In reply, USA were bowled out for 200 in 19.4 overs despite several spirited contributions.

Riyan Parag, returning after a shoulder niggle, had a quiet outing, remaining unbeaten on 2 and conceding 14 runs in the only over he bowled. Fast bowler Mayank Yadav, playing his first competitive match since May 2025, also made his return but endured a tough spell, going wicketless while conceding 37 runs in three overs.

Sent in to bat, India A got off to a rapid start, with the openers setting the tone in a manner similar to the senior Indian side. Priyansh Arya’s 28 off 13 balls helped India A race to 43 for 1 inside four overs.

The innings gathered further momentum through a dominant 113-run partnership between Jagadeesan and Tilak, which came off just 9.1 overs. USA cycled through nine bowlers in an attempt to stem the flow, but seven of them went at more than ten runs an over. Tilak fell in the 14th over, but the assault continued as Badoni took control in the death overs.

Jagadeesan’s century featured 11 fours and five sixes before he was dismissed by Ali Khan off the final ball of the 19th over. Badoni’s unbeaten fifty was equally destructive, with 48 of his 60 runs coming in boundaries.

USA’s reply showed plenty of intent against a strong India A bowling attack featuring Khaleel Ahmed, Ravi Bishnoi and Mayank. Opener Andries Gous provided early impetus with a fluent 44 off 31 balls before falling to Tilak.

Sanjay Krishnamurthi then impressed in the middle overs with an 18-ball 41, striking two fours and four sixes to keep USA in the contest. Even after his dismissal in the 16th over, USA continued to score through Shubham Ranjane (28 off 17), Harmeet Singh (25 off 9) and Mohammad Mohsin (21 off 10).

Bishnoi was the most successful bowler for India A with three wickets, while Khaleel picked up two. Allrounder Naman Dhir closed out the match by claiming the final two wickets in the last over, sealing a comprehensive warm-up win for India A.