Tilak Varma Overtakes Dhoni in T20Is After Stunning Innings Against Zimbabwe

India's vice-captain Tilak Varma reached another career milestone during the second T20I against Zimbabwe, as Tilak Varma overtakes Dhoni in T20Is to climb the list of India's highest run-scorers in the format. An unbeaten 60 from just 29 deliveries powered the left-hander past former internationals MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina, while also moving him ahead of teammate Ishan Kishan.

The innings featured five boundaries and three sixes and came at a strike rate of 206.90. It was also Tilak's highest T20I score of the year, adding another half-century to his tally in 2026 after a productive run in the shortest format.

With the latest innings, Tilak Varma surpassed Dhoni in T20Is by taking his career aggregate to 1,634 runs from 58 matches. He has maintained an average of 44.16 with a strike rate of 145.37, while his record includes two centuries and nine fifties, with an unbeaten 120 remaining his highest T20I score.

MSD ended his international T20 career with 1,617 runs in 98 appearances, while Raina accumulated 1,605 runs across 78 matches. Tilak's latest achievement moves him into seventh place among India's leading run-scorers in T20 internationals.

India's all-time list continues to be headed by Rohit Sharma, followed by Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav, all of whom have crossed the 3,000-run mark in the format.

Tilak has now scored 451 runs in 18 T20I innings this year at an average of 34.69 and a strike rate approaching 149. His consistency at the top of the order has further strengthened his role in India's batting unit as the team continues its preparations for future white-ball assignments.