Indian youngster Tilak Varma is a left-handed batter who is regarded as one of the promising young talents in Indian cricket. He is known for his aggressive and stylish playing style. The young player made his debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Mumbai Indians in 2022 and quickly gained attention for his consistent performances.
Tilak Varma has showcased his talent in domestic cricket, particularly in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy, playing for Hyderabad. He has a calm head on his shoulders, which allows him to handle the big moments with composure. His rise in Indian cricket has been closely watched, and many consider him to be a future star for India.
Here’s a list of Five lesser known facts about India’s new T20 sensation-Tilak Varma:
1: Background and Early Years
Tilak Varma was born on November 8, 2002, in Hyderabad, Telangana, into a supportive and cricket-loving family. His passion for the sport developed at a young age, and he began playing cricket in his neighborhood. His father, Namboori Nagaraju, was an electrician, and his mother, Gayatri Devi, took care of the household.
Despite coming from a middle-class background, Tilak’s family helped him hone his skills, offering both emotional support and the resources needed to chase his cricketing aspirations. His early years were marked by dedication and hard work, which eventually led him to represent his state, Hyderabad, in various domestic tournaments.
2: Education and Training
Tilak Varma’s educational journey began at Crescent Model English School and continued at Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan’s Public School in Hyderabad. He completed his secondary education at Lepakshi Junior College and is now pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration at Andhra University. Recognizing his potential at the age of 10, coach Salim Bayash took Tilak under his mentorship at the Legala Sports Academy.
Tilak’s cricketing career took off when he joined the Legala Cricket Academy in Lingampally, where he received focused training. Inspired by Suresh Raina’s aggressive style and consistency, Tilak credits him as his cricketing idol.
3: Domestic Cricket and IPL
Tilak Varma’s domestic cricket journey began with his consistent performances for Hyderabad in various age-group tournaments, including the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy. His impressive showing in these competitions caught the attention of IPL scouts, and in 2022, he was signed by the Mumbai Indians for a price of INR 1.7 crore.
He made an immediate impact in his debut season, showcasing his ability to play under pressure with his aggressive batting style, particularly in the middle order. Tilak’s adaptability and composure in high-stakes situations helped him gain a solid spot in the Mumbai Indians lineup.
4: International Debut
Tilak’s impressive performances in the IPL earned him a spot in the Indian T20I squad in July 2023. He made his debut on August 3, 2023, against the West Indies, where he played a match-winning knock of 39 runs off 22 balls and also took two crucial catches.
Tilak made his ODI debut on September 15, 2023, against Bangladesh during the Asia Cup, further establishing his presence on the international stage. His standout moment came on November 13, 2024, when he scored his first T20I century, an impressive 107* off 56 balls against South Africa.
5: Record-breaking knocks
Since his debut, Tilak Varma has demonstrated his talent and versatility, consistently contributing with impressive performances for the Indian team. His ability to adapt to different situations and formats has made him a key player in the side, earning him recognition and setting the stage for a bright future in international cricket.
He has the highest career batting average in T20Is, which is 58.91, following his 72* against England in the second T20I at Chepauk Stadium. Tilak is tied with many other batters to have scored consecutive T20I centuries in 2 matches.
