Tilak Varma’s breathtaking boundary catch sends Travis Head packing at the MCG

Varun Chakravarthy delivered a crucial breakthrough for India as he dismissed the dangerous Travis Head with the help of Tilak Varma’s mind-blowing efforts during the second T20I against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne on Friday (October 31).

Australia kicked off the chase fiercely, racing to 50 with Mitchell Marsh (14) and Travis Head tormenting the Indian bowlers. But India’s mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy managed to get a timely breakthrough for India by removing Head for 28 runs off just 15 balls.

Tilak Varma pulls off a Suryakumar Yadav-style catch to send Travis Head packing at the MCG

However, it was Tilak Varma who stole the show with his remarkable fielding at long-off. Tilak reminded everyone of Suryakumar Yadav’s controversial yet match-winning catch of David Miller at the ICC T20 World Cup 2025 final against South Africa in Barbados.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

Read Also: 'He's gone mad': Gautam Gambhir receives heavy criticism for promoting Harshit Rana over Shivam Dube in MCG T20I

Head tried to make room and loft a length ball from Chakravarthy straight down to the ground, aiming to clear the boundary. For a moment, it looked like the ball would sail over the fielder, but Tilak Varma had other plans. He judged the ball perfectly, leaping to his left and grabbing the ball cleanly near the ropes.

Interestingly, after realizing his momentum was taking him toward the boundary cushions, Tilak cleverly tossed the ball up in the air before stepping outside the rope. Tilak Varma then quickly yet calmly re-entered the field of play to complete the catch safely, ending Head’s blazing knock at the MCG.

What a brilliant catch on the boundary from Tilak Varma! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/NdmTd6q2et

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 31, 2025

Double delight for Varun Chakravarthy at the MCG

After getting the big wicket of Head, Varun Chakravarthy struck again, removing another big man in Tim David during the second T20I at the MCG.

The Australian power hitter tried to push a fuller delivery straight back down the pitch but ended up hitting it too hard and too close to the bowler.

The Indian spinner reacted quickly, grabbing the ball cleanly to complete a brilliant return catch. David returned back to the pavilion after scoring just one run off two balls.

Harshit Rana fumbles Kuldeep Yadav’s chance to dismiss Mitchell Owen

Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav had created another chance for India when Mitchell Owen mistimed a slog during the second T20I at the MCG. The ball took a thick top edge and went high toward deep mid-wicket, where Harshit Rana sprinted in to take the catch.

Read Also: Gautam Gambhir beaming with pride as Harshit Rana launches Marcus Stoinis for huge 104-m six at MCG

Varun, who was also running back from mid-wicket, pulled out at the last moment to let Harshit go for it. Despite reaching the ball and getting both hands on it, Harshit couldn’t hold on, and the catch went down. Kuldeep looked disappointed, while Suryakumar Yadav watched the moment unfold in silence as Owen survived the run-out chance.

India bowled out for just 125 at MCG

Earlier in the match, India were bundled out for just 125 runs in the second match against Australia at the MCG, and it was a rare collapse from this side in T20I cricket.

This was only the 13th time India has been bowled out in a T20 International. Interestingly, the only time they went on to win after being bowled out was against Pakistan during the T20 World Cup 2024 in New York.