There are moments in a young cricketer’s career when everything begins to feel real, when pressure, expectations and thrill of wearing the India jersey start shaping who they are. For Tilak Varma, that moment seems to have arrived. After India’s 17-run win over South Africa in the first ODI, the emerging middle-order batter opened up about the influences guiding him and the kind of cricketer he hopes to become.
The victory itself was built on the brilliance of senior players, with Virat Kohli reaching yet another landmark by scoring his 52nd ODI hundred and Rohit Sharma adding a composed half-century. But for Tilak Varma, the match was also a reminder of how much he enjoys the rhythm and mental challenge of longer formats. He said the patience and maturity required in ODIs and Tests align naturally with the way he likes to build his innings. Being in the same side as two giants of modern cricket has only strengthened his confidence. He explained that simply watching Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli go about their work teaches him something every day and their presence shifts the entire atmosphere in the dressing room.
Tilak Varma especially looks up to Virat Kohli’s intensity and discipline. He often seeks advice from him on fitness and running between the wickets, which he considers one of his strengths. The idea of partnering with Kohli in the middle excites him, not just for the runs but for the sheer experience of matching his pace and energy.
He also spoke about the impact of Gautam Gambhir, someone he sees as a mentor who doesn’t hesitate to push him beyond his comfort zone. Gambhir’s approach, according to Tilak, is firm but full of belief. By creating pressure situations during practice, he prepares him for the heat of real matches and makes him mentally stronger. Tilak said this tough guidance means a lot because it comes from someone who sees his potential and expects him to rise to it.
Though he is yet to play Test cricket, Tilak Varma’s early record in white-ball formats, over 650 runs with four fifties and a century, suggests that he is steadily growing into a player India can rely on. With each match, he is learning, adapting and taking confident steps toward a bigger role in the team’s future.
