India batter Tilak Varma has said that his impressive performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) helped him earn a spot in the national team. Varma, who made his T20I debut in the second match of the ongoing series against the West Indies, scored a maiden half-century in the first innings, despite his team losing the match. The 20-year-old from Hyderabad said that he was confident going into the match, thanks to his IPL performances.
“Everyone knows that the two IPL seasons were my turning point. I am here because of my performances there. So, I am just playing with that confidence and going forward I want to continue what I’ve been doing,” Tilak Varma said.
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Tilak Varma scored 343 runs in 11 matches for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2023, at an average of 42.88. He also struck five half-centuries. Varma said that he had been working on his game with head coach Rahul Dravid and Hardik Pandya, who have both been encouraging him to play his natural game.
Anna step esthe mass 🕺 – Tilak Varma 💪 with a brilliant first fifty in #TeamIndia colours 🔥#WIvIND #JioCinema #SabJawaabMilenge #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/TjniKcyHEF
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) August 6, 2023
“I have been with Rahul (Dravid) sir since the Under-19 World Cup. He always says to follow your basics and spend as much time in the 22 yards between the wickets. He always says to enjoy your game as much as you can. When I was talking to Hardik (Pandya) bhai also, he says the same thing, that you’ve done well in IPL and domestic, so this is the same thing you should do in international cricket. Follow your basics and enjoy your game,” Tilak Varma said.
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Tilak Varma’s half-century in the second T20I was a sign of his growing maturity as a batsman. He played some elegant shots and showed great composure under pressure.
He will be hoping to continue his good form in the third and final T20I, which will be played in Guyana on Tuesday. The Men in Blue are currently trailing 2-0 in the series and will be looking to level the scores with a win in the final match.
