Indian Cricketer Struggles for the First Time Post Initial Success in County Championship
Hampshire's Tilak Varma Shines Despite Single-Digit Score Against Worcestershire
Tilak Varma, the Indian cricketer signed by Hampshire for four County Championship matches last month, continued his impressive form in the 2025 season, despite a brief hiccup against Worcestershire.
Varma, who made his County Championship debut against Essex and scored a century, added a useful 38 runs to Hampshire's total in the match against Worcestershire. However, he registered his first single-digit score of the season, getting out for just five runs[1].
Despite this minor setback, Varma's overall performance has been commendable. He has scored two centuries in County Championship matches this season, including a well-fought 112 against Nottinghamshire[1]. His innings against Essex during his debut included 11 fours and three sixes, showcasing his power and finesse[2].
Varma's ability to bat long has also been evident, with innings spanning 171 and 143 balls[3]. This resilience under pressure has been instrumental in helping Hampshire stay competitive in matches, even against strong bowling attacks and challenging conditions.
In the same match against Worcestershire, Hampshire started strongly at 144-0 but suffered a dramatic collapse, being bowled out for 293[4]. Sonny Baker was the chief destroyer for Worcestershire, taking three wickets to reduce them to 204-5 by lunch on day three[5].
Despite the collapse, Varma's contributions, along with Tom Prest's 54 runs, ensured Hampshire had a solid foundation to build upon[2]. The ball that led to Varma's dismissal was bowled by Taylor[6].
Varma, who has a strong reputation in India's T20I setup, having become the third-youngest player from a Full Member nation to score a T20I century, will look to bounce back in Hampshire's next County Championship match.
[1] [Source 1] [2] [Source 2] [3] [Source 3] [4] [Source 4] [5] [Source 5] [6] [Source 6]
Tilak Varma's impressive cricketing form extended beyond the single-digit score against Worcestershire, as his performances in the County Championship this season have primarily consisted of two centuries, including a commendable 112 against Nottinghamshire[1]. Despite being a sportsman, Varma's resilience in the face of adversity, such as his single-digit score, has been a highlight of his games for Hampshire.
