Raina Sees 'Yuvi-Dhoni' Quality in Tilak Varma After India's Epic Chase
Suresh Raina compares Tilak Varma to Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni after India's record-breaking chase against New Zealand in the second T20I.
Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina has showered praise on the young brigade of Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy following India's breathtaking victory in the second T20I against New Zealand. The match, played in Christchurch, saw India pull off a record-breaking chase that left fans spellbound and the opposition stunned.
A Record-Breaking Finish
India faced a daunting task, requiring 181 runs to win. The tension peaked in the final stretch when the team needed 68 runs from the last five overs. In a display of sheer power and precision, Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy forged an unbeaten 69-run partnership off just 30 deliveries, steering India to victory with only one ball remaining.
This feat marked a historic milestone for the Men in Blue. The 68 runs scored in the final five overs is now India's highest successful chase during that specific phase of a T20I. This surpassed the previous record of 60 runs, which was set during the legendary 2022 T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan at the MCG, where Virat Kohli's unbeaten 82 had guided India home.
Comparing Tilak Varma to Legends
Suresh Raina was particularly impressed by Tilak Varma's composure and aggression in the middle order. Drawing from his own experience batting alongside greats, Raina noted a familiar spark in the youngster.
“Take Tilak Varma, for instance. When Yuvi Pa (Yuvraj Singh), Dhoni bhai (MS Dhoni) and I used to bat at No. 5, 6, 7 and 8, we had a certain passion, and I feel Tilak has that same quality. He is a player with a different mindset and has done exceptionally well. He is contributing with the ball too,” Raina told ANI.
Praising the New Guard and Old Hands
Beyond Varma, Raina highlighted the positive intent shown by Nitish Kumar Reddy, noting that his approach to batting is refreshing and effective. He also expressed his happiness at seeing veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar return to action, welcoming his comeback to the squad.
The 'Iyer Era' of Captaincy
The victory also brought Shreyas Iyer's leadership into the spotlight. Having taken over the captaincy from Suryakumar Yadav—who led India to the 2026 T20 World Cup title—Iyer has already made a significant impact.
Raina lauded Iyer's tactical approach, stating that he hasn't seen a captain with such a distinct style in the T20 format for many years. He remarked that Iyer is building a unique legacy for himself, offering his full support and best wishes.
Iyer's success with the national team follows a stellar track record in the IPL, where he led three different franchises—Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Punjab Kings—to the finals. His crowning achievement came in 2024 when he led KKR to their third IPL title, followed by another final appearance with Punjab Kings in 2025.
With this thrilling win, India now holds a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20I series. The action continues as the two teams head to Wellington for the third match on October 27.