Tilak Varma: Rising Star of Indian Cricket
Tilak Varma is indeed a rising star of Indian cricket.
He is a left-handed batsman who plays for Hyderabad in domestic cricket and Mumbai Indians in the IPL. He made his international debut in the T20I series against West Indies in 2023, where he impressed everyone with his explosive batting and calm temperament. He scored a brilliant half-century in the second T20I, becoming the youngest Indian to do so. Tilak Varma is also the first Indian to hit two sixes off the first three balls he faced in international cricket.
Tilak Varma’s journey to cricketing stardom is a tale of unwavering determination and the invaluable support of his childhood coach, Salam Bayash. Bayash spotted Tilak Varma’s potential at a tender age in 2011-12 when he was playing tennis ball cricket with his friends at the Barkas ground. Bayash persuaded Tilak Varma’s father, who was an electrician by profession, to allow his son to pursue a career in cricket. Bayash took personal responsibility for Varma’s development, providing him with rigorous training and comfortable living arrangements near his academy.
Tilak Varma’s hard work and dedication soon paid off as he caught the attention of the Mumbai Indians franchise in the IPL. Playing alongside some of the biggest names in the cricketing world, Varma showcased his flair for explosive batting, delivering crucial knocks during the IPL seasons in 2022 and 2023. He also met his idol, Sachin Tendulkar, who praised his talent and potential.
Tilak Varma is a young talent primed to leave an indelible mark on the cricketing landscape. He has a bright future ahead of him and is expected to become one of the mainstays of the Indian team in all formats. He is also an inspiration for many aspiring cricketers who dream of representing their country on the big stage.
There are many young Indian cricketers who are making a mark in the domestic and international arena. Some of them are:
Ruturaj Gaikwad(CSK): The 25-year-old opener from Maharashtra has been a consistent performer for CSK in the IPL. He scored 419 runs in 14 matches in IPL 2022, with four half-centuries and a strike rate of 137. He also made his ODI debut for India against Sri Lanka in July 2021, scoring 88 runs in three matches.
Devdutt Padikkal(RCB): The 21-year-old left-handed batsman from Karnataka has been a revelation for RCB in the IPL. He scored 473 runs in 15 matches in IPL 2020, with five half-centuries and a strike rate of 124. He also became the first Indian to score four consecutive centuries in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2021. He made his T20I debut for India against Sri Lanka in July 2021, scoring 29 runs in two matches.
Ishan Kishan(MI): The 23-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman from Jharkhand has been a vital cog for MI in the IPL. He scored 516 runs in 14 matches in IPL 2020, with four half-centuries and a strike rate of 145. He also made his T20I and ODI debut for India against England and Sri Lanka respectively in 2021, scoring a half-century in both formats.
Mohammed Siraj(SRH): The 27-year-old fast bowler from Hyderabad has been a revelation for India in Test cricket. He made his Test debut against Australia in December 2020, taking five wickets in two matches. He also took his maiden five-wicket haul against Australia in Brisbane, helping India win the series. He has taken 21 wickets in eight Tests so far, with an average of 28.
Varun Chakravarthy(KKR): The 30-year-old mystery spinner from Tamil Nadu has been a sensation for KKR in the IPL. He took 17 wickets in 13 matches in IPL 2020, with an economy rate of 6.84. He also took a five-wicket haul against Delhi Capitals, becoming the first bowler to do so in IPL 2020. He made his T20I debut for India against Australia in November 2020, taking one wicket.
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