Young batter Tilak Varma on Saturday (April 2) was involved in a fascinating battle with veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in the IPL 2022 match between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) at DY Patil Stadium.
Varma smashed 61 off 33 balls in MI’s comprehensive 23-run loss to RR. During his blistering knock, the left-hander reverse-swept Ashwin for a six over third man and the seasoned off-spinner bounced back on the very next ball to shatter the stumps of the 19-year-old.
Varma was deceived by the change in pace, dip and turn from Ashwin when he was attempting a conventional sweep shot. His knock was studded with 3 fours and 5 sixes.
“He’s a legendary and world-class bowler for the Indian team. There was a bit of nervousness. But my plan was that one end was small (boundary) while the other end was big. In the starting, I knew that they would target the stumps and was waiting for it as they bowled in good areas. I knew that in order to be safe, they would pitch outside (stumps), so I tried the reverse (sweep) and then he came back on the stumps," said Varma in the post-match virtual press conference.
“I thought that if he (Ashwin) comes back to bowling on stumps, I would get a chance to hit another six so that it could be beneficial for the team. But the ball gripped a little and turned a bit so I got beaten. I was expecting the straight ball slower but got beaten by the little turn. Will try better next time," he added.
Chasing 194 to win, the five-time champions were restricted to 170/8 in 20 overs. Tilak and Ishan Kishan (54) may have excelled with the bat but they failed to take the team over the line.
“It was a pleasure batting alongside him (Kishan) because he’s a very good hitter of the ball. When he plays well, as an opposite player, I get the confidence as he plays so easily."
“I have watched every bit of his batting from U19 and domestic season. Our plan was that if one of us stays till the end, we will easily chase. But it was not our day as unfortunately Ishan and me got out. It was a learning for us about the (importance of) finishing the game."
Tilak Varma dedicated his knock to his coach Salam Bayash and his parents.
“If not for my coach, I wouldn't have been here. Whatever I have done till now for the Mumbai Indians in today’s match, I will dedicate all of it to him and to my parents. All three of them have worked hard for me. If all of them hadn’t worked hard for me, all these results wouldn’t have come today."
Varma also thanked the star-studded coaching staff and players of Mumbai Indians for helping him improve his game.
“Mumbai Indians is a very big franchise as it is also my favourite franchise. They worked a lot on me in all categories, including working on my power-hitting as well as my bowling."
“They boosted my confidence by letting me play my own game. Also, there are a few legends in the dressing room like Sachin (Tendulkar) sir, Rohit (Sharma) bhai, Polly (Pollard) and (Jasprit) Bumrah. (Being) among many legends in the team makes me feel very confident. I really thank Mumbai Indians for backing me from the start of my career."
(With IANS inputs)
