Tilak Varma Run Out in Fist-Bump Mix-Up as India Beat West Indies by 14 Runs to Lead Series 2-1

The Fist Bump That Cost a Wicket

India vice-captain Tilak Varma was involved in one of the most unusual run-outs seen in international cricket during the third T20I against West Indies in Indore on Sunday, when a simple misunderstanding with Axar Patel cost him his wicket in the closing overs of India's innings.

Batting in the 17th over, Tilak and Axar appeared to believe that West Indies fielder Kamil Pooran had touched the boundary rope while stopping a shot off Gudakesh Motie. The pair completed a single and exchanged a fist bump, assuming the ball would be called a four.

Pooran Kept the Ball Alive

But Pooran had kept the ball in play and returned it quickly. Axar made his ground at the striker's end, while Tilak continued towards his crease, seemingly unaware of the situation. Motie collected the ball and broke the stumps at the bowler's end, with the third umpire confirming the run-out.

Tilak departed for 28 off 16 balls, including four boundaries.

Abhishek Sharma's Blitz Rescues India

India, however, recovered to post 223, powered by Abhishek Sharma's 69 off 30 balls, and went on to beat West Indies by 14 runs. Arshdeep Singh claimed three wickets and Naman Dhir took two as West Indies finished on 209/7.

The victory gave India a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

The dismissal also came on a day of personal significance for Tilak, who completed 50 catches in T20Is — becoming only the fifth Indian fielder to reach the mark, alongside Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav and Virat Kohli.