Basit Ali recalls his conversation with Mohammad Azharuddin about Tilak Varma | Cricket News
Tilak Varma’s 72 in the second T20I against England to help India win in Chennai is a testament to the 22-year-old’s temperament under pressure, the skills he possesses to access the different areas against high-pace and game awareness to pick and attack right bowlers according to the conditions at play on the night.
With a couple of blistering tons against South Africa he displayed the pyrotechniques in his possession required for a modern T20I batter but the innings on Saturday showed the other version of him which is a mature head on young shoulders. Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali recalled how former Indian player Mohammad Azharuddin had earmarked Tilak as one for the future when he was starting out in the Indian Premier League.
“When I interviewed Mohammad Azharuddin, he took the name of Tilak Varma when he was nothing, playing only in IPL. He said, ‘There is Tilak Varma, watch him [play]’ and now it’s come true,” Basit Ali said speaking on his YouTube channel. “Duniya ek numbari to Tilak Varma teen nambari (If the World No.1, then Tilak Varma is No. 3.) You’ll ask what did I say? It’s because he is performing back-to-back since he’s come at No. 3,” Ali added.
All-format player
2022 was Tilak’s first IPL season and then skipper of the side Rohit Sharma was impressed with the youngster and predicted that he was going to be an all-format player. “Having such a calm head is never easy. In my opinion, I feel he is going to be an all-format player for India pretty soon. He has the technique and the temperament, which is the most important thing when you play at the highest level. Things are looking bright for him.”
“There is hunger when you speak to him, there is a hunger to do well, to finish the game, and have some success as well. I think he is on the right path – he just needs to keep growing and see how he can improve and get better, as a player and as a person as well,” he added.
