Tilak Varma Equals Virat Kohli’s Record With Slowest T20 Fifty

In a display of cautious batting, young Indian sensation Tilak Varma has equalled Virat Kohli’s unenviable record by scoring one of the slowest fifties in T20 International cricket. The incident occurred during India’s second T20I match against Ireland in Belfast on Sunday, marking a concerning trend in his otherwise promising career.

Varma’s Sluggish Innings Against Ireland

Tilak Varma, despite being India’s top-scorer in the second T20I, took 46 balls to reach his fifty, scoring an unbeaten 55. This innings has now become the fifth slowest fifty by any Indian batter in T20 International cricket, a distinction previously held alongside Virat Kohli’s similarly slow strike rate. While Varma managed to contribute valuable runs, the glacial pace of his innings raised eyebrows among cricket analysts and fans alike.

Slowest Indian Fifties in T20I History

The ranking of slowest T20I fifties by Indian batters places KL Rahul at the top, who scored 50 in 56 balls against South Africa in 2022. Former India head coach Gautam Gambhir follows with 50 in 54 balls against Australia in 2012. Suryakumar Yadav’s 50 in 49 balls against USA during the T20 World Cup 2026 ranks third. Tilak Varma’s 46-ball fifty now sits alongside other notable slowdowns in Indian T20I batting, indicating a pattern of cautious cricket that concerns selectors and coaches.