India vice-captain Tilak Varma suffered a bizarre run-out during the third T20I against the West Indies at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Sunday, October 11. Believing that Axar Patel had hit a boundary, Varma casually walked down the pitch, allowing bowler Gudakesh Motie to remove the bails at the non-striker's end.
India, led by Shreyas Iyer, defended their total of 223 to win by 14 runs and take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. After being asked to bat first, Abhishek Sharma scored an explosive 69 runs off just 30 balls, while the Indian bowlers held their nerve to prevent the visitors from completing another successful chase.
Tilak Varma's Bizarre Run-Out Leaves Gautam Gambhir in Disbelief
The incident occurred on the fourth ball of the 17th over. Motie bowled a low full-toss on the pads, which Axar flicked towards deep backward square-leg. Fielder Kamil Pooran dived to save the boundary, but both Indian batters assumed the ball had reached the rope.
Axar and Varma casually walked towards their respective ends. Motie collected the return and broke the stumps at the non-striker's end. Axar made his ground, but Tilak Varma was well short of his crease. The third umpire confirmed that Pooran had kept the ball in play.
Tilak Varma walked back for 28 off 16 balls, including four boundaries at a strike rate of 175. His dismissal came at a crucial stage, as he had looked set to help India finish strongly. While Axar responded with a wry smile, head coach Gautam Gambhir looked visibly frustrated in the dugout.
𝐖𝐀𝐈𝐓, 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐃?! 🤯 A near-boundary save turns into a run-out as the West Indies catch Tilak Varma short of his crease! #INDvWI 3rd T20I | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/GmwwFjql5J https://t.co/plCeyKV5SE
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) October 11, 2026
Axar Patel Suffers Another Run-Out as India Lose Momentum
Axar Patel took responsibility for India's death overs after Tilak Varma's dismissal but was involved in another run-out shortly afterwards. On the first ball of the 19th over, he played a yorker from Shamar Springer towards point.
Arshdeep Singh immediately set off for a single, but Axar watched the ball before leaving his crease, resulting in another mix-up. Axar departed for 20 off 14 balls, further disrupting India's momentum.
The hosts had reached 117/3 but lost their remaining wickets to finish at 223 all out in 20 overs. The West Indies bowlers recovered well in the closing overs, with Roston Chase, Shamar Joseph and Springer taking two wickets each.
Abhishek Sharma and Arshdeep Singh Seal 14-Run Victory
Abhishek Sharma laid the foundation for India's total with 69 off 30 balls, including six fours and five sixes at a strike rate of 230. Ishan Kishan added 37, while Nitish Kumar Reddy scored 21. Tilak Varma's 28 and Axar Patel's 20 also helped India build their total before the late collapse.
The West Indies responded with an aggressive chase but finished at 209/7. Arshdeep Singh led India's attack with 3/44 in four overs, dismissing in-form opener Shai Hope, Keemo Paul and Sherfane Rutherford. Naman Dhir also played a key role, taking two wickets as India secured a 14-run victory.
India bounced back after the West Indies chased down 250 in the second T20I on Friday. Captain Shreyas Iyer praised his bowlers for their approach after the match.
"It was wonderful to see the bowlers being confident," Iyer said. "The clarity was very much visible when I was interacting. They were ready to take up the challenge, and that's what we want."
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