Tilak Varma Set to Play Four County Championship Matches

Hampshire County Cricket Club formally announced the acquisition of Indian batter Tilak Varma for a limited four-match stint in the upcoming County Championship season.

The young left-handed batsman is expected to reinforce Hampshire’s red-ball cricket team for the subsequent four games, commencing with an away match against Essex in Chelmsford from June 22nd to 25th.

His debut at home is anticipated shortly thereafter, when Hampshire plays host to Worcestershire between June 29th and July 2nd.

Tilak, who has played for India in four ODIs and 25 T20Is, gained recognition through his steady showings for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.

He holds a noteworthy record in the T20I format, having scored 749 runs in 25 appearances, which includes two successive tons against South Africa in November 2024 and an impressive 72 not out versus England earlier in the year.

Varma’s performance in domestic cricket and the IPL has also been substantial. Since joining Mumbai Indians back in 2022, he has accumulated close to 1,500 runs across 54 matches, with an average of 37.47 and a strike rate of 144.41.

Notably, as of June 2025, Varma’s batting average of 49.93 places him second among all male cricketers in T20Is worldwide—and first among nations that are full ICC members.

He has taken part in 18 first-class games, amassing more than 1,200 runs at an average of 50.16, including five centuries and four half-centuries.

He has also represented India A in the Duleep Trophy and participated in matches against the England Lions earlier this year.

Hampshire will be optimistic that Varma’s presence will provide a timely impetus to their County Championship campaign.

The club is currently positioned seventh in Division One and is looking to improve upon their second-place result from last season—their best showing since 2005.