Tilak Will Be Banging Down the Door of Indian Team Soon: Ravi Shastri
Tilak Varma has been MI's best batter in IPL 2023 [AP Photos]
The Indian Premier League has proven to be a goldmine of cricketing talent, with a plethora of young players making a name for themselves in the tournament before earning a call-up to the Indian team.
The likes of Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah have successfully used the lucrative tournament as a springboard to establish themselves as India’s regular in the national team.
Mumbai Indians, the five-time champions, have a reputation for unearthing and nurturing some of India's finest cricketing talent. They are at it again as they are grooming Tilak Varma, who has been in stunning form with the bat in the tournament and looks poised for a bright future in the national team.
The 20-year-old has been the lynchpin of Mumbai Indians' batting lineup this season, much like he was last year. Batting at number five, he has been a picture of consistency, scoring 214 runs in just five matches at an average of 53.50 and a strike rate of 158.52. Currently, he is the highest run-scorer for Mumbai.
Varma’s consistent performances have caught the eye of many former cricketers and commentators. The latest to join the chorus of praise is former Indian coach Ravi Shastri, who has hailed the youngster as a future star of Indian cricket. Shastri has gone as far as to say that he sees Tilak Varma banging down the door of the Indian team soon.
During a conversation with ESPNCricinfo, here’s what Shastri said:
“A standout player is Tilak Varma, who I think I said in the second game or third game on commentary I said he is an India Player in the near future. He will be banging that door down because he has got that all-round ability not just to finish it off at the end, the clarity of thought when he comes out to bat, what impresses me the most is his first ten balls, he is not afraid to take his chances, play shots, back his strengths.”
Shastri further went on to say that Tilak doesn't get intimidated by the reputation of the bowler he is facing and treats every bowler with equal respect. This fearless attitude of the left-handed has been a key factor in his success so far in the tournament.
“As Rohit said a very good line at the presentation yesterday [he doesn't play the bowler, he plays the ball], he is not worried about the reputation in the sense that he is not overawed by the bowler, he plays what's on offer, he plays irrespective of the name, he doesn't play the name, he plays the ball and which is there for everyone to see.”
.jpg)
"He has got a wide range of shots, he has got the temperament , he looked very good last year but he is looking better this year, you watch for players who improve."
Mumbai Indians have won three out of their five matches in the tournament and are currently placed fifth on the points table. They will take on Punjab Kings at the Wankhede Stadium on April 22.
 "Shivani Shukla")
