Tilak Varma has spoken about how his leadership journey began much earlier than many expected, and much of that early guidance came from India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir. Ahead of the tri-nation one-day series in Sri Lanka, Tilak opened up about the advice he has received from Gambhir and how it has helped shape his mindset as a future captain. The talented left-hander is set to lead India A in the upcoming tri-series, which will feature Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A from June 9 to June 21 at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.
With several promising young players in the squad, the tournament is seen as an important step in Tilak’s development as both a leader and a batter. India A will face Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A twice each in the league stage before the top two sides meet in the final. For Tilak, this is not just another assignment. It is a chance to prove that he can handle responsibility, make smart decisions under pressure, and guide a young group in competitive conditions.
Tilak Varma said Gambhir has consistently pushed him to think beyond the immediate challenge and prepare for the demands of the senior India team. “Whenever I used to play for India, I would often speak with Gautam sir. He always told me that when leading India A, I should think ahead about the Indian team and prepare myself for bigger responsibilities. That advice stayed with me.”
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The Hyderabad batter explained that his approach to captaincy has always been rooted in learning from every game. Whether it is field placements, bowling changes, or reading match situations, Tilak believes every experience has added something valuable to his growth as a cricketer.
“My mindset has always been about learning. In every match I played, I tried to understand what I could do better for the team, both as a player and as a captain. It is not something I started thinking about now. I was already preparing myself, and when the opportunity came, I was ready for it. Going forward, I want to continue on the same path.”
Tilak Verma learns many things from Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma but nothing from Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav 🤡pic.twitter.com/T4NMx5SXAp
— CineSports (@SportsCraft381) June 8, 2026
Tilak also credited Rohit Sharma for helping him understand the finer details of leadership. He said he often speaks to the former India captain about captaincy, pressure handling, and game awareness, rather than batting technique.
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“I also spend a lot of time with Rohit bhai. We do not talk much about batting, but when it comes to captaincy, I learn a lot from him. I often ask him about his mindset, how he handles pressure, and the way he thinks during difficult situations. The small things I learn from him and the guidance he provides have been very valuable. I want to use those lessons and experiences in India’s matches going forward.”
With Gambhir’s guidance and Rohit’s experience in the background, Tilak Varma enters the Sri Lanka tri-series with growing confidence and a clear chance to strengthen his case as one of India’s next leadership options.
