Former Indian batter Ambati Rayudu hailed Tilak Varma after the hosts registered a two-wicket win against England in the second T20I at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Saturday. India took a 2-0 lead in the five-match after a thrilling win at Chepauk.

Varma scored a match-winning knock of 72 runs off just 55 balls with the help of four fours and five sixes to take the home team over the line. The hosts were struggling at 78-5 after 9.1 overs while chasing 166, but the left-hander showed great maturity to take the game deep.

The southpaw has scored 707 runs in 22 T20Is at an impressive average of 58.92 and a blistering strike rate of 156.07 and thus he has ticked the right boxes in his young career.

“He is a superstar cricketer and I have seen him grow in Hyderabad. He has played four extraordinary knocks. Since Suryakumar Yadav has become the captain, the confidence he has been given and the trust that has been shown in him, he is paying him back fully,” Ambati Rayudu said on Star Sports. 

“I feel India have got a huge superstar and he can become an all-format player. It’s not that he is only a T20 player. Considering the maturity he showed today (Saturday), he has the ability to be a match-winner for India for many years. So I feel he should be backed in every format,” Rayudu added.

Meanwhile, Rayudu noted that Varma tackled the short-pitched bowling with great confidence as he had all the answers against England pacers.

“England came with a plan that they would bowl short against Tilak Varma, wouldn’t give him room, and make him play the pull shot towards fine leg. However, Tilak Varma had all the answers,” he said.

“He used the pace very well. Angles are extremely important in batting. He was hitting the balls wherever he wanted using the pace. He batted exceptionally with the right approach and execution, and I don’t think England will again try to bowl like this,” Rayudu observed.

The third T20I between India and England will be played at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot on Tuesday.