WI vs IND: Tilak Varma wants to focus on his basics on his debut tour in West Indies

By India Today Sports Desk: India’s latest debutant in the T20I format – Tilak Varma played a fearless innings in the opening T20I match against West Indies, scoring 39 off 22 balls. His debut was marked by powerful strokes, including two sixes in his first international cricket innings. Despite India’s loss in the match, Varma’s performance was highly praised, and he is expected to continue representing India in future T20I matches.

The promising youngster, who made his name in the Indian Premier League while playing for Mumbai Indians, opened up on his maiden call-up to the national side and said that it was an emotional moment for him and his family.

Speaking in a BCCI video with Ishan Kishan, Varma said that he got the call while playing in Duleep Trophy and that his parents were very emotional about the whole situation.

“I got to know while playing in the Duleep Trophy. They were very emotional. I spoke briefly to mom and dad,” Varma said in a chat with Ishan Kishan.

Varma came into focus in his maiden IPL outing. In the 2022 IPL season, he scored 397 runs in 14 matches for Mumbai Indians, hitting 29 fours and 16 sixes. His performance continued to shine in the 2023 IPL season, where he scored 343 runs in 11 matches.

“I wanted to do well in the IPL and wanted to focus on my process,” Varma spoke about his first IPL experience with Mumbai Indians.

Varma’s rapid innings was not enough to save India in the first T20I match of the series. Asked about his own goals from the tour, Varma said that he wanted to focus on playing as fearlessly as possible.

“West Indies is a very good side in T20Is and I want to focus on my basics. I do not want to be nervous and I have spoken to the seniors that I want to give my hundred percent and play my natural game even if I get out,” Varma said about his goals in debut tour.

India will play their second T20I match in Providence on 6 August.