Tilak Varma operated on a completely different tangent when the Mumbai Indians desperately needed a rescue act after a top-order collapse. The left-hander walked in early after MI lost three wickets inside
the first six overs. Though Tilak took time to settle, once he found his rhythm, the innings took off dramatically in the next 23 balls.
Tilak managed just 19 off his first 22 deliveries, but a pep talk from captain Hardik Pandya seemed to ignite the spark in the 23-year-old.
Tilak-ன் சரமாரி தாக்குதலுக்கு முன் Captain Pandya-வின் Motivational Talk!🥵💥
📺 தொடர்ந்து காணுங்கள் | TATA IPL 2026 | #GTvMI | JioHotstar & Star Sports 1 தமிழில்#TATAIPL #TATAIPL2026 pic.twitter.com/pOqwasXawU
— Star Sports Tamil (@StarSportsTamil) April 20, 2026
He shifted gears instantly, hammering Prasidh Krishna for 18 runs off the first three balls — 6, 4, 4 — right after the break.
🎬 Versatility on display
Tilak Varma upping the ante for @mipaltan 📈
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/cawFoZABvQ#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #GTvMI pic.twitter.com/KxS0wWYDRl
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 20, 2026
As Tilak tore into Krishna, Pandya was visibly pumped, celebrating animatedly from the other end.
Hardik Pandya reaction after Tilak Varma smashes Ashok Sharma🔥🔥☠️ pic.twitter.com/8q8SyNxfu8
— Rushikesh Vadolkar (@RVadolkar) April 20, 2026
Dddy Hardik Pandya did nothing just scored 15 from 16 balls n caught by Glenn Philips 💥 He just did this to Tilak Varma who is playing exceeding well 🏏#GTvsMI #MIvsGT #GTvMI #MIvGT #IPL #ShubhmanGill #HardikPandya #Rabada pic.twitter.com/DfFjmT2mBY
— Cric_Lover 🏏 (@ankit_bhattar) April 20, 2026
Tilak didn’t stop there. The Hyderabad batter went on to notch up his maiden IPL hundred, guiding Mumbai Indians to 199/5. He smashed 83 runs off his last 23 balls, finishing unbeaten on 101 off 45 deliveries, laced with seven sixes and eight fours at a strike rate of 224.44.
4⃣5⃣-ball Hundred 🤯
Tilak Varma, TAKE A BOW 👏👏
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/cawFoZABvQ#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #GTvMI | @mipaltan | @TilakV9 pic.twitter.com/JpC1WB7lHZ
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 20, 2026
Netizens showered praise on Hardik Pandya’s gesture, with many calling it the moment that reignited Tilak Varma’s innings.
Hardik Pandya at non strikers end during that whole Tilak Varma knock pic.twitter.com/voPRxQ9fOc
— JFM SSN 🌟🌟 (@KAPPitals) April 20, 2026
I always want to see Hardik Pandya smiling like this.
Thanks to Tilak Varma ❤#GTvsMI pic.twitter.com/doP1UQgYgo
— Fabrizio Abby (@Inayatttttt_56) April 20, 2026
Skipper Hardik Pandya went crazy on Tilak Varma Century.. he was madly celebrating it from Dug out#IPL pic.twitter.com/AXs5KYKlJQ
— Shakeel Khan Khattak (@ShakeelktkKhan) April 20, 2026
Tilak varma ane Hardik pandya recreate scene…..#MIvsGT #GTvsMI pic.twitter.com/twaujXuxQY
— H I T E S H _❤️🔥_BAWA (@Isdilkakyakru) April 20, 2026
Before Tilak Varma took charge, the Mumbai Indians were rocked early by Kagiso Rabada’s fiery spell. He removed Danish Malewar, Quinton de Kock and Suryakumar Yadav inside the Powerplay, leaving MI reeling. Naman Dhir attempted a rebuild but lacked fluency, while Hardik Pandya struggled for rhythm as the innings drifted before the turnaround.
