India's T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav has revealed that Tilak Varma came up to him and requested him to let him bat at No. 3, a strategy that eventually turned into a masterstroke in the must-win third T20I on Wednesday. Tilak's brilliant maiden hundred stayed above Marco Jansen's stunning late assault as India notched a thrilling 11-run victory. India now lead the four-match series 2-1. Tilak's brilliant effort (107, 56b, 8x4, 7x6) carried India to 219/6 but Jansen (54, 17b, 4x4, 5x6) made runs at a strike rate of 317 to nearly trump the Indian batter's innings. Coming on the back of a string of low scores, pressure was mounting on Tilak to prove himself as a capable middle-order batter and Suryakumar has revealed that the youngster wanted a promotion to the top order to help prove his case.

"What can I say about Tilak Varma? He came to me (in Gqeberha) and asked me if he could bat at three. I said to him it was his day and to enjoy himself. I knew what he was capable of doing and very happy for him. He is batting at three going forward definitely," Suryakumar said at the post-match presentation. Tilak came in to bat with India at 0/1, with India having lost Sanju Samson on the second ball of the innings. He then added 107 runs with Abhishek Sharma to take India to a comfortable position. Tilak then added 52 more runs with Rinku Singh for the fourth wicket to take India past the 200-run mark. "All credit goes to captain Suryakumar Yadav. He has given me an opportunity (at three). Before the game, he told me (that I would bat there). I am happy (he gave me that opportunity). I just wanted to express myself and back to my basics," Tilak said at the post-match presentation.