"I am focusing a lot on my game as an all-rounder" - Tilak Varma

Star India player Tilak Varma was aiming to do well in his game from being just a batter to developing all-round skills as well. The youngster was targeting the ongoing domestic season to flaunt his batting as well as bowling skills. He was part of Shubman Gill-led India A in round 1 of the Duleep Trophy 2024 but he did not play at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru against India B as well.

“Since this Indian Premier League (IPL) season, and from last year in general, I have been working on my bowling a lot,” Tilak told Sportstar. “Especially with the red ball, I am focusing a lot on my game as an all-rounder. If I perform well in the longest format, it’s very easy to go and deliver with the white ball, so that’s why I’m bowling a lot nowadays,” Tilak explained.

"I have been working on my bowling a lot" - Tilak Varma

However, Tilak Varma made his international debut for India last year after a stunning IPL season for Mumbai Indians. He bowled 12 overs overall and managed to claim two T20I wickets in the blue jersey. In 2022, when Tilak Varma was only 19, Rohit Sharma claimed he would soon be an all-format player for India as well.

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With a few India A players leaving the team due to national duties for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, Tilak Varma could get a chance to play XI for the next game as well, which starts on September 12 as well.

“For every player, it’s a selection match. Duleep Trophy is a big tournament. But ultimately, you are a part of a team; we always play for everyone on the team,” Tilak said.

"We always want to win the match for our team" - Tilak Varma

However, Tilak Varma made his T20I debut against the West Indies at Tarouba in 2023 and did well. His first two scoring shots, off just the second and third balls he faced, were both sixes as well. Soon after, he earned his ODI debut, but in 2024, his progress was halted by a couple of freak hand injuries, putting his international career on hold for a brief period as well.

“Whatever the situation needs, we just need to bat according to that, and we always want to win the match for our team. If you play for the team and win the matches, there is always a place open in the [Indian] team. So, that’s where I focus, and whatever match I play, I just want to win. So, if I do well here, I think automatically I will reach the ultimate goal,” he concluded.