Kamal Ghorui
Tilak Varma and Rohit Sharma (Image credit: BCCI/IPL)
NEW DELHI: Tilak Varma’s heartwarming gesture after his match-winning unbeaten 75 helped Mumbai Indians chase down a 201-run target against Punjab Kings at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on Thursday quickly caught everyone’s attention. After guiding the five-time champions – already eliminated from IPL 2026 – to victory, Tilak was seen making a ‘No. 45’ gesture towards the dugout with his fingers. The No. 45 jersey belongs to Mumbai Indians veteran Rohit Sharma, and the gesture appeared to be Tilak’s way of dedicating the innings to the former MI skipper.Rohit’s reaction to the moment was priceless. After celebrating the win, he walked up to Tilak and warmly hugged him.Tilak, whose innings featured six fours and six sixes, came out all guns blazing during Mumbai Indians’ chase.He anchored the innings brilliantly with an unbeaten 75 off just 33 balls. Tilak first stitched together a 61-run partnership off 42 balls with Sherfane Rutherford (20) and then added an unbeaten 56-run stand with Will Jacks to guide Mumbai Indians home in 19.5 overs.Tilak, who was named Player of the Match, said he is enjoying the responsibility of finishing games for the team.“I always say I love finishing games. Playing World Cups, playing international games, it helps, you get experience and confidence. We did not expect a wicket like this – it was slow and low. We saw how Punjab struggled in first 15 overs. We thought to take the game deep, and I was believing in myself, was holding my shape and backing myself (and my game),” Tilak said.“(Chats with Jacks) His innings really helped. I just said to hold the shape and to wait for the slower ones. That is the only ball we were struggling to hit sixes. He held shape, got sixes and they were under pressure,” he added.Mumbai Indians will next take on Kolkata Knight Riders on May 20 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
