Tilak Varma, the young left-hand Indian batter, has stated that he aspired to play ODI cricket but never imagined that his debut would be in the Asia Cup tournament, after being selected for the squad for the Asia Cup.
Tilak Varma is a great talent who came to the surface as he accumulated 300-plus runs while playing for the Mumbai Indians in the previous two seasons of IPL. He continued to build on this achievement by making a stunning breakthrough into international cricket during India’s recent white-ball series against the West Indies.
In the entire five T20I matches against the West Indies, the 20-year-old showed his skill, collecting 173 runs in his debut international series. His superb performance against the West Indies won him a well-deserved position in India’s squad for the next Asia Cup.
While he has yet to play an ODI match, the 2023 Asia Cup, slated to open on August 30, might represent his debut in the format. This marks a potential new chapter in Tilak’s cricket adventure.
Tilak discussed his Asia Cup selection in a video released by the BCCI, and he also expressed his sincere gratitude to skipper Rohit Sharma for his unflagging support and guidance.
“I never dreamed that I would be debuting directly in the Asia Cup and that too in the one-day side. I was always dreaming that I would be debuting for India in ODIs. But it is a big thing for me. And I always dreamed of this, like debuting for India in ODIs, that too, in like, a single year, I got my T20I debut and suddenly, in the next month, I’m just getting a call for the Asia Cup. So yeah, it is one of my dreams and I’m just preparing for it,” said Tilak.
He also expressed his sincere gratitude to captain Rohit Sharma for his unflagging support and guidance during the IPL.
“Rohit bhaiya always backed me. When I was playing in the IPL also, he used to come near me. I was a bit nervous when I was in the IPL at the start, so he only himself came near me and talked about the game and said that always enjoy your game and always feel free. Whenever you want to talk, you can come any time for me or text me so I’ll be there for you,” he further added.
“I have expressed myself in the IPL and I’m expressing everywhere. Yeah, I always talk with him, So yeah, every time. He said that only one thing to enjoy your game. So that’s what I’m doing. Yeah, I’m very happy that I’m in and I want to do well there as well. I want to enjoy what I’m doing now. I just want to enjoy there as well,” Tilak said.