India's Tilak Varma bcomes first batter with three straight T20 centuries

Shreyas Iyer’s 2019 record of 147 runs is surpassed by the Hyderabad captain.

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India's Tilak Varma extended his strong form in T20 cricket, becoming the first batter to score three consecutive T20 centuries on Saturday in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy opener against Meghalaya.

The Hyderabad captain’s knock of 151 off 67 balls, which included 14 fours and 10 sixes, helped his team set a total of 248-4. His innings made him the first male Indian cricketer to score 150+ runs in a T20 match, surpassing Shreyas Iyer’s previous record of 147 runs in the same tournament in 2019.

Tilak Varma also etched his name in the record books as the first batter in the world to score three consecutive T20 centuries. His 151 came just days after he hit back-to-back hundreds (107* and 120*) in India’s recent T20I series against South Africa.

This achievement makes him one of the few players to reach such a milestone in international cricket.

Emergency meeting called on Nov 26 to discuss future of ICC Champions Trophy

The future of the ICC Champions Trophy, set to be hosted by Pakistan, is now under scrutiny, with an emergency meeting scheduled for November 26 to address the tournament’s organization and format, reported Express News on Friday.

According to reports from Indian media, the International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting will be held virtually and is expected to discuss the possibility of hosting the Champions Trophy under a hybrid model.

This consideration comes in response to India’s refusal to send its team to Pakistan for the tournament, a decision that has sparked significant debate within the cricketing world.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has already rejected the hybrid model, maintaining that if the Indian team refuses to play on Pakistani soil, Pakistan will likewise refuse to play at a neutral location with India.

The PCB argues that the Champions Trophy should be held in Pakistan as scheduled, without the need for alternative arrangements due to India’s stance.

Indian media reports also suggest that the ICC is considering holding the semifinals and finals at a neutral venue to accommodate both teams.