South Africa tour of India | Twitter awestruck as Tilak’s gravity-defying effort stops certain six from Markram
After being put into bat at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur, India put a daunting total of 358/5 against South Africa in the second ODI. The home side was powered by centuries from Ruturaj Gaikwad (105) and Virat Kohli (102), with captain KL Rahul chipping in with an unbeaten half-century to power them past the 350-run mark.
In return, South Africa also got off to a great start with Aiden Markram looking in good nick despite Quinton de Kock’s early dismissal. He, along with captain Temba Bavuma, took the side past the 100-run mark and sat prettily at 112/1 after the first 19 overs.
The Proteas opener, who completed his half-century in the 16th over, looked to press the gas as he tried to take a flighted delivery from Kuldeep over long-on. Just as it looked like the ball would sail over the ropes, Tilak came up with an extraordinary effort to prevent the boundary.
The fielder timed his dive perfectly as he went airborne first to catch the ball and then throw it in before landing outside the boundary cushion. He showed excellent awareness and reflexes to extend his leap for a short while before relaying the ball inside. Though the fielder was fully outside the boundary line, he stayed in the air to keep the ball in before touching the cushion and landing outside.
The effort was so special that it drew applause from the cheerful crowd and also the fellow Indian players. With KL Rahul giving a round of applause to the Mumbai Indians batter, Twitter also joined in to shower praise on the young player who saved five crucial runs for his side.
100/100
That was a 100/100 effort by #Tilak! ✈
Came in as a substitute fielder, saved a certain six, and boosted the team’s spirit. 🙌#INDvSA 2nd ODI, LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/uUUTmm025J pic.twitter.com/4qgLEWAm3q
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 3, 2025
Brilliant!
What a brilliant save by Tilak Varma 🔥pic.twitter.com/oYKIYDRD0N https://t.co/HE9k7o20Yg
— ⁴⁵ (@eremika_45) December 3, 2025
crazy!
TILAK VARMA WITH THE CRAZIEST SAVES. 🥶pic.twitter.com/1IER0MVotS
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 3, 2025
Yeah!
TILAK VARMA WITH THE CRAZIEST SAVES. 🥶pic.twitter.com/1IER0MVotS
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 3, 2025
Brilliant save!
Tilak Varma defied gravity. What hang time bro #INDvRSA #INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/3ZfvlMdBnZ
— The last dance (@26lastdance) December 3, 2025
What a save!
TILAK VARMA SAVED 5 RUNS 🤯
– The commitment of Tilak, coming as Sub fielder for the country. pic.twitter.com/kI5zqoo7F3
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 3, 2025
Effort!
What an effort from Starboy Tilak Varma. Outrageous. Bro is contributing even without playing. pic.twitter.com/BhqwnGmbw9
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) December 3, 2025
Very crazy!
TILAK VARMA WITH THE CRAZIEST SAVES. 🥶#INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/X6geYMICjY
— Shivam Jha (@nkshivamjha) December 3, 2025
Incredible!
Incredible effort of Tilak Varmapic.twitter.com/sRMunWRD1t
— Rohit Baliyan (@rohit_balyan) December 3, 2025
Brilliant!
Outrageous save from Tilak Varma.pic.twitter.com/TwlscFiMjO
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) December 3, 2025
