Rising Indian batting star Tilak Varma has opened up about the influence of head coach Gautam Gambhir after being appointed vice-captain of India’s T20I side, calling it one of the proudest moments of his career.
The 23-year-old will begin a new chapter when he leads India A in the upcoming Tri-Series campaign against Sri Lanka A. Alongside his leadership role for India A, Tilak’s recent elevation to the national T20I vice-captaincy has further highlighted his growing importance in Indian cricket.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Tilak admitted that captaining the national side was never something he had imagined.
“I never dreamt of leading my country. It’s a huge opportunity to learn and grow. Leading India is the biggest thing for any cricketer. I don’t feel pressure; I see it as added responsibility,” Tilak said.
The left-handed batter revealed that Gambhir played a key role in preparing him for leadership responsibilities.
“Whenever I played for India, I spoke to Gautam sir a lot about captaincy. He always told me that whenever I get the opportunity to lead India A, I should think of it as preparation for leading India one day. I observe a lot and keep learning on the field,” he added.
Learning From Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav
Tilak also acknowledged the impact of senior stars Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav on his development as a leader.
“I have enjoyed captaincy whenever I’ve had the opportunity. I have captained Hyderabad in the Duleep Trophy and led teams in previous series as well. I’ve learned a lot from Rohit bhai and Surya bhai, especially about handling pressure and making decisions during crucial moments,” he said.
According to Tilak, Rohit’s leadership style has been particularly inspiring.
“We don’t talk much about batting. Most of our conversations are about captaincy. I always ask Rohit bhai how he thinks under pressure and how he approaches difficult situations during matches,” Tilak explained.
Important Audition for Future Leadership
The upcoming India A tour could prove crucial for Tilak’s long-term leadership ambitions. With discussions around the future of India’s T20 captaincy, strong performances as captain could further strengthen his credentials as a future leader of the national side.
India A’s squad features several exciting IPL performers, including Ruturaj Gaikwad, Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Ayush Badoni, and teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
The tournament format will see all three teams face each other twice, with the top two sides qualifying for the final.
With Gambhir’s mentorship, Rohit’s guidance, and increasing leadership responsibilities, Tilak Varma’s journey from promising youngster to future Indian captain appears to be gathering momentum at an impressive pace.
