Tilak Varma marked his return from testicular surgery with a timely all-round performance as India A defeated the United States by 38 runs in a T20 World Cup warm-up match in Navi Mumbai on Tuesday. Playing his first competitive game since recovery, Tilak notched up a fluent 38 off 24 balls and later picked up a wicket, easing any concerns over rustiness ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
India A’s commanding win was built on a blistering batting display, headlined by Narayan Jagadeesan’s superb 104 off 55 deliveries and an unbeaten half-century from captain Ayush Badoni. After being sent in, India A piled up a daunting 238 for 3 in their 20 overs, a total that ultimately proved beyond USA despite a spirited chase.
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The innings began at a brisk pace, with the openers setting the tone in a template similar to the senior Indian side. By the time Priyansh Arya was dismissed for a 13-ball 28, India A had raced to 43 for 1 in four overs. Tilak then joined Jagadeesan for a devastating 113-run partnership off just 9.1 overs, during which USA struggled to stem the flow despite using as many as nine bowlers. Seven of them conceded at ten runs an over or more.
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Tilak struck three fours and two sixes before falling in the 14th over, after which Badoni seamlessly took over the scoring. Jagadeesan, who smashed 11 fours and five sixes, fell to Ali Khan off the final ball of the 19th over, while Badoni remained unbeaten on 60 off 26 balls, with 48 runs coming in boundaries.
USA’s reply showed encouraging intent. They were bowled out for 200 in 19.4 overs, with Andries Gous providing early impetus through a 44 off 31 before becoming Tilak’s wicket. Sanjay Krishnamurthi added momentum in the middle overs with an 18-ball 41, while late cameos from Shubham Ranjane (28 off 17), Harmeet Singh (25 off 9), and Mohammad Mohsin (21 off 10) pushed the total to a competitive mark.
Among the bowlers, Ravi Bishnoi led the way with three wickets, Khaleel Ahmed claimed two, and all-rounder Naman Dhir picked up the final two dismissals. Fast bowler Mayank Yadav, returning to action for the first time since May 2025, went wicketless, conceding 37 runs in three overs, while Riyan Parag had a quiet outing on his return from a shoulder niggle.
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