Tilak Varma, after finishing his net session at Anantapur Cricket Ground, highlighted his growing focus on bowling. He explained that since the last IPL season, he has worked on his bowling, aiming to strengthen his all-rounder skills, especially with the red ball.
He generously bowled to fellow players, practicing until his teammate suggested stopping. Tilak mentioned that excelling in the longest format would make it easier to perform with the white ball. He has already earned praise from his IPL stint with Mumbai Indians, where he debuted in 2022, averaging close to 40 in 38 matches.
Rohit Sharma once described Tilak as India’s next all-format player, crediting his calm mindset, technique, and hunger to finish games. Following his IPL success, Tilak earned his first international cap in a T20I against West Indies in 2023. Today, he has 16 T20I caps and continues to adapt to the faster pace of international cricket.
Despite his T20I success, Tilak acknowledged neglecting First-Class cricket in his early career. He made his debut for Hyderabad in 2019 but played only 16 games. However, last season, Tilak emerged as a regular, scoring 412 runs in five games, including three centuries, and aims to help Hyderabad win the Ranji Trophy.
The Duleep Trophy presented an opportunity for Tilak to prepare for the upcoming Ranji season starting on October 11. He emphasized that the tournament is a high-stakes selection trial for Indian players and hopes to secure a place in the team by performing well for India A.
