India's Tilak Varma Run Out in Bizarre Fist-Bump Mix-Up With Axar Patel at the Non-Striker's End

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

The incident unfolded in the 17th over, with Gudakesh Motie bowling to Axar. The all-rounder flicked a low full toss towards deep backward square leg, where Kamil Pooran dived to stop the ball short of the rope. Both Tilak and Axar appeared convinced that Pooran had touched the boundary rope while making the save.

How the run-out happened

Assuming the ball would be signalled a four, the two batters jogged through a single and paused mid-pitch to celebrate with a fist bump. But Pooran had kept the ball in play, stopping it just before the boundary, and quickly returned it to the field.

Axar, who was facing the delivery, realised the danger first and grounded his bat at the non-striker's end just in time. Tilak, however, continued walking back towards his crease, entirely unaware that the ball was still live. Motie collected the throw and broke the stumps at the bowler's end.

The third umpire reviewed the sequence, first confirming that Pooran had made a clean save before ruling Tilak run out. He departed for 28 off just 16 balls, including four fours, as India's lapse in awareness ended his innings in bizarre fashion.

The dismissal stood as a striking example of the risks that come with assuming a boundary has been conceded — a lapse that gave West Indies a wicket at a crucial stage of India's innings.