Young India batter Tilak Varma opened up about his growing responsibilities in the national setup and how he is steadily adapting to the evolving demands of international cricket. India’s 17-run win in the opening ODI against South Africa—powered by Virat Kohli’s record 52nd ODI century and Rohit Sharma’s fluent half-century—gave the hosts a confident 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

For Varma, the victory also offered a deeper understanding of what it means to contribute alongside two of modern cricket’s greatest batters. Speaking after the match, Tilak Varma admitted that the longer formats bring out the best in him.

He feels that ODIs and Tests match his natural batting temperament, allowing him to express himself with patience and controlled aggression. Sharing a dressing room with stalwarts like Kohli and Rohit, he said, has significantly boosted his confidence and ambition.

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“ODI and Test cricket feel like my game because I enjoy the longer format. When Rohit bhai and Virat bhai are in the same team, the confidence level is completely different. They have so much experience and knowledge, and I take as much advice from them as possible,” Tilak Varma said. He added that he often speaks to Kohli about fitness and running between the wickets—an area he particularly enjoys thanks to his own speed and natural intensity.

Tilak also credited head coach Gautam Gambhir for shaping his mental toughness. According to him, Gambhir has been instrumental in helping him handle pressure by replicating match-like intensity during training.

“Gautam sir always gives me confidence. He tells me that if you have the skill, you can play all formats. He keeps challenging me because he believes I have the capability,” Tilak Varma shared.

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Although he is yet to debut in Test cricket, Tilak Varma’s early international numbers already underline his promise. With 661 runs in 23 white-ball matches at an average of 38.88—including four fifties and a century—he has shown the ability to adapt to different situations, anchor innings, and accelerate when needed. As India look toward building a strong core for the future, Varma’s maturity and hunger make him one of the most exciting young prospects in the setup.