RCB Wanted To Sign MI Tilak Varma, But...; Ex-Insider Reveals

image-lstxa13bTilak Varma [X.com]

Mike Hesson disclosed one of his personal regrets from the time with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) franchise, revealing he wanted to sign young left-hander Tilak Varma ahead of the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). 

Varma, the rising Hyderabad cricketer, who has since forged a rapid rise as a Mumbai Indians (MI) maverick into India's senior T20I scene, could've plied his trade for the Bangalore franchise instead if the team's former director of cricket managed to execute his auction plans. 

Hesson revealed the elegant left-hand batter was part of RCB's wish list for the bidding war but they lost the race to MI and instead invested their bids on Madhya Pradesh late-bloomer Rajat Patidar, who vindicated the trust with a memorable century in the Eliminator versus Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). 


Hesson Reveals RCB Wanted To Sign Tilak Varma 

"I think he is one that I wish that we pushed a little bit harder for. All good in hindsight but he’s proven that he is a high-quality player. Being a left-hander would always be helpful for that RCB top-order," Hesson was quoted as saying by India Today. 

Varma was signed by MI for INR 1.70 crores and has since been integral to their set-up. The youngster has compiled his runs for the five-time champions at an average of 38.95 while carrying a strike-rate of 144.53. The 21-year-old has used his MI exposure as a springboard to earn selection in India's T20I set-up, making his international debut last summer. 

Hesson said Varma's influx into the RCB batting unit would've established greater solidity and variety in the side's top-order with his left-hand utility and ability to take down multiple opposition match-ups. 

"It would have been nice to have another left-hander in the top-order. There was a lot of talk that he was susceptible to the short ball domestically. But certainly since he’s come to the IPL, he’s made every post a winner," he added. 

Varma will be rejoining MI ahead of the IPL 2024 where he will strive to revive their fortunes with another trophy and personally back his case for selection in India's squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies & USA.