[Watch] Hardik Pandya's Motivational Speech To Tilak Varma During Debut Cap Presentation

Hardik Pandya congratulates Tilak Varma on debut (BCCI)

Team India took field against West Indies in the first T20I of their five-match series in Trinidad and Tobago, in the absence of resting senior members Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

Hardik Pandya, who led the ‘Men in Blue’ in the final two ODIs of the tour, will continue to hold the wheel in the T20I series as well. In the opening contest, the Indian team management handed out T20I debuts to Mumbai Indians cult hero Tilak Varma and ongoing tour’s breakout star Mukesh Kumar.

Skipper Pandya, and ace spinner Yuzvendra Chahal were seen handing out the duo their respective T20I caps prior to the game, and the much-celebrated moment soon went viral across social media.

‘Be proud of yourself…’ Pandya says to Varma

During the first T20I between India and hosts West Indies, the BCCI shared a minute-long video on their social media platforms, showcasing the joyous moment in Tilak Varma and Mukesh Kumar’s careers.

In the video, the Indian team circled around Varma prior to the game, where the youngster received his maiden T20I cap from all-round legend and current skipper Hardik Pandya. Upon handing the cap, the senior member said:

“This is what dreams are made of. You have worked hard to get here and continue doing so. Good luck. Be proud of yourself.”

Moments later, Yuzvendra Chahal handed Kumar his first T20I cap, which ignited much applause from the rest of their teammates.

Varma was called into the Indian team owing to his scintillating run with the Mumbai Indians franchise in the IPL 2023 season. Meanwhile, Kumar also made his Test and ODI debuts during the ongoing tour, and delivered a match-winning spell in the series-deciding third ODI at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

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