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"I could have died": Tilak Varma makes shocking revelation about his life-threatening disease

Anurag Dasgupta

Tilak Varma on his life-threatening disease [Source: AFP Photo] Tilak Varma on his life-threatening disease [Source: AFP Photo]

Tilak Varma, who was the star of the Asia Cup 2025 final and helped Team India clinch the title, made a shocking revelation about his serious health scare, which he faced in 2022. The left-handed baßtter revealed that three years ago, he suffered from rhabdomyolysis, a rare disease that is caused due to muscle breakdown.

The 22-year-old star also expressed his gratitude towards the Mumbai Indians and Akash Ambani for providing him with timely healthcare. In the last three IPL seasons, Tilak has been a key member of the Mumbai Indians team, and in a recent episode of Breakfast with Champions, he opened up on his life-threatening scare.

Tilak Varma gets emotional as he talks about rhabdomyolysis

"I haven't opened up about this to anyone. After my first IPL, I had some health problems. I wanted to be fit. These things have not come out. I was diagnosed with something called Rhabdomyolysis, in which muscle breakdowns happen. I had in me that I wanted to be in the Test team, was playing domestic cricket, A series, a camp was going on," Tilak said.


"Even on rest days, I was in the gym. I wanted to be the fittest player in the world and an excellent fielder, so I wasn't quite focusing on recovery. I was taking ice baths, but I was not giving my body the proper time to recover. I was pushing myself even on rest days. So, the muscle was overstrained and it broke down. The nerves became quite hard," he added.

Tilak Varma credits Akash Ambani for his timely recovery

In the same episode, the rising Indian star cedited Akash Ambani, who immediately dialled up Jay Shah after knowing the seriousness of the injury.

"Mumbai Indians were there with me, and I was playing the A series in Bangladesh. I pushed myself for a hundred, and my eyes started tearing up. My fingers weren't at all moving. Everything became so hard, it felt like a stone. I had to retire hurt, gloves had to be cut off because fingers weren't moving," said Tilak.


"Immediately, I got a call from Akash Ambani. He spoke to the BCCI, which was very helpful. Thanks to Jay Shah, sir. I was immediately admitted to the hospital. The doctors told me that if I had delayed by even a few hours, the consequences could have been catastrophic. Even the IV line needle wasn't going in. The needle was breaking. My condition was very bad in the hospital. My mother was with me," he added.

Tilak, the main man for Mumbai Indians 

In the last three years, Tilak has been a key player for MI in the IPL, and has been a solid middle order player for Hardik Pandya’s team. In 54 matches, he has racked up 1499 runs, with an average of 37.48 and a strike rate of 144.41.

While the senior batters have failed in the last few seasons, Tilak has stood strong and will be a vital player as MI aim to retain him for next season.