Rohit Sharma Lauds Tilak Varma's Big-Match Temperament
Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has showered praise on young batting sensation Tilak Varma, highlighting his exceptional temperament and ability to perform under pressure in crucial matches. Sharma's comments come as Varma continues his rehabilitation from an abdomen injury ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup in February.
The Asia Cup Final Breakthrough
While Tilak Varma had already demonstrated his talent in several innings for the national team, his true breakthrough moment arrived during last year's Asia Cup final against arch-rivals Pakistan. In that high-pressure encounter, Varma played a match-winning unbeaten knock of 69 runs, steering India to victory and securing the prestigious trophy for his team.
Rohit Sharma specifically highlighted this innings as evidence of Varma's special qualities. "And most importantly, his temperament, that knock in the Asia Cup against Pakistan was unbelievable," Sharma remarked. "So much pressure, wickets falling at the other end, so much noise in the stadium, a tournament final no less."
Early Recognition in Mumbai Indians Setup
Sharma, who has captained Varma both at Mumbai Indians in the IPL and for the Indian national team, revealed that he noticed something distinctive about the young batter from their earliest interactions. "The first time Tilak Varma came into our Mumbai Indians setup, I could sense that there was something different about him," Sharma shared during an appearance on JioHotstar's 'Captain Rohit Sharma's Roadmap for T20 World Cup' show.
The Indian captain elaborated on what impressed him most about Varma's approach: "What attracted me was his constant conversation that came from a very innocent place, but it made a lot of sense. Whenever he spoke to me, he would just say, 'I'll do it. Please send me up the order, I'll do the job.'"
Sharma emphasized that this confident mindset was evident during the 2022 and 2023 IPL seasons when he was leading Mumbai Indians. "He has that mindset and attitude, which is superb, and he is mad about cricket," Sharma added, underscoring Varma's dedication to the sport.
Proving Himself as a Crisis Player
Beyond just the Asia Cup final performance, Sharma pointed out that Varma has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to rescue the team from difficult situations. "I know it's still early days, but he is showing that he is a big-match player," Sharma stated. "Whenever the team is in trouble, not just once, he has gotten them out of trouble a few times now."
This assessment comes at a crucial time for Indian cricket, with the team management carefully monitoring Varma's fitness ahead of the T20 World Cup. In just a few short years, the 23-year-old has established himself as an important player in India's T20I setup, making his potential absence due to injury a significant concern for the team's preparations.
Injury Recovery and World Cup Prospects
Tilak Varma suffered an abdomen injury while participating in the Vijay Hazare trophy, which has kept him out of the ongoing India versus New Zealand series. According to the latest updates, he is now expected to join the national team only before India's warm-up match for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that Varma is making steady progress with his rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. His recovery timeline will be crucial for India's World Cup campaign, given the high regard in which he is held by captain Rohit Sharma and the team management.
As Indian cricket fans eagerly await Varma's return to full fitness, Sharma's glowing endorsement serves as a testament to the young batter's growing importance in the national setup. With his proven ability to perform in high-pressure situations and his dedicated approach to the game, Tilak Varma appears poised to play a significant role in India's quest for T20 World Cup glory.
