Tilak not only impressed with the bat but also with the ball as he claimed his maiden international wicket in the form of attacking Windies batter Nicholas Pooran, who finished as the highest run-scorer with 176 runs, in the fifth and final T20I in Florida.
Tilak shared his feelings on the social media platform X, earlier known as Twitter: “Not the result we wanted but I will always remember my first series with Team India.”
Such was his performance in the T20 series that Tilak has emerged as a contender for a World Cup middle-order slot on the back of his exploits.
The 20-year-old cricketer, selected only for the T20Is, demonstrated exceptional composure and maturity during his debut series for the Indian team. His remarkable ability was evident when he confidently dispatched deliveries from the express pacer Alzarri Joseph for successive sixes, making a strong statement in international cricket right from the outset.
As the series unfolded, Tilak’s performance continued to improve, and he played a significant role in India’s resurgence in the T20 series. Despite the Hardik Pandya-led side ultimately losing the series-deciding match on Sunday, Tilak’s contributions did not go unnoticed.
His promising performances captured the attention of the cricketing world, including the respected and insightful R Ashwin, who endorsed the young talent, suggesting that Tilak possesses the potential to be a valuable X-factor player in the World Cup squad.
This recognition from a seasoned player like Ashwin further highlights Tilak’s growing impact and potential in the international cricket arena.