Mumbai Indians batter Tilak Varma put on a terrific batting display in the side's match against Gujarat Titans on Monday in Ahmedabad, plundering a maiden IPL century to help MI snap a four-match losing run and clinch a much-needed win. MI's big victory lifted them off the bottom of the points table, reviving their campaign just when it appeared to be going off tracks. Tilak, firing an unbeaten 101 off 45 balls, took MI to a challenging total of 199/5 in 20 overs after the side was asked to bat. Following Tilak's knock, MI captain Hardik Pandya lauded the young star for stepping up when it mattered the most.  

"The kind of talent that Tilak has, he really does not need to worry about a lot. So the only message I kept telling him that you are just going to watch the ball and hit the ball irrespective of what because I genuinely believe the kind of ball that travels from his bat is something really special," Hardik said after the match.

"It was about time that he comes and delivers. I think a couple of times, I went so loud that I kind of got dizzy. But it was much-needed for the group; it was much-needed for Tilak; it was much-needed for Mumbai Indians; and as a captain as well that kind of energy can only change things around," he said.

Pandya also lauded pacer Jasprit Bumrah for his tremendous spell after he bowled the first over and gave the side a rollicking start. 

"It's quite fascinating. I've seen a lot of people ask why Jassi has never bowled, but if you see, I think eight or nine times, Jassi has bowled first over. So, I don't think it's a Hardik Pandya problem. It's just that Jasprit Bumrah is so special that you use him whenever he's required for the team. Not when you start. But today we realised that we really want to make an impact with the new ball and no one's better than him," Pandya said. 

Mumbai Indians, defending the total, bowled MI out for 100 in 15.5 overs, with Ashwani Kumar taking four wickets.