U19 World Cup is huge responsibility but I will try to make most of it, says Thakur Tilak Varma

12/09/2019

Hyderabad’s Thakur Tilak Varma reckons that his inclusion in India’s U19 World Cup squad is a huge responsibility on his shoulders, but promises to try and make the most out of it. The 17-year-old left-hander hopes to use the U-19 platform as a pathway to his dream of playing for the senior team.

Though a gifted young batsman, Tilak is a gentle reminder that to make a mark in any sport, talent must be combined with commitment and patience. He made his Ranji Trophy debut against Andhra last season at Vizianagaram, scoring 5 and 34, before going to register big scores at will — hitting five centuries and three fifties before being picked for the U19 Asia Cup squad.

Having scored a century against Pakistan in the quarter-finals of the tournament, Tilak hopes to take his game to new heights when he represents India U19 in the World Cup in South Africa next year.

“I thought I had an 80 per cent chance of making in view of my scores. But, again, I feel it is a huge responsibility at the same time to repose the faith in me. Now, I have got a chance and will try my best to make the most of it. Fortunately, I don’t feel any pressure in any given situation, patience being my strength,” Tilak said, reported Sportstar.

Salam Bayash, his coach at the Legala Cricket Academy since he was just 10, was confident of his student going places right from his exploits in the U14 grade.

“Once he scored 460 runs with two centuries and two fifties in the South Zone U14 grade, I was confident of Tilak going to places,” Salam said.

Tilak, who looks up to the likes of Suresh Raina and Rahul Dravid as role models, wishes to join the ranks they once represented.

“Yes, for sure, I want to make a mark in the World Cup to move closer to the dream of playing for India seniors,” Tilak added.