Xtra Time Web Desk : Former India cricketer Suresh Raina will definitely not remember the chance encounter he had with a 12-year-old Tilak Varma, who had accompanied with his coach for a tournament at the Hyderabad Cricket Association Stadium in Uppal back in 2014.
Tilak watched Raina bat at the CSK nets with awe. He didn’t remove his eyes even once and watched every shot played by Raina. Then he clicked pictures with him. It was only after that experience, Tilak started thinking seriously about becoming a cricketer.
Son of an electrician, Tilak spent a lot of hardships during his early days. A resident of Salala Barkas area in Belapur locality, Tilak travelled all the way to Lingapally to practice at the Legala cricket academy. He studied at the Cresent Model English school. He used to take special permission from school authorities for attending the practice sessions. He would have lunch at the academy before starting training in the afternoon session.
Much to the joy of the family, Tilak was brought for a whopping INR 1.7 crore by Mumbai Indians at IPL 2022 mega auctions.
Tilak has already impressed everyone on his IPL debut against Delhi Capitals at Brabourne Stadium on March 27. He began well and showed glimpses of what he is made of, scoring 22 with some delightful fours. Tilak improved upon that score by reaching 61 with five sixes and three fours against Rajasthan Royals, taking on the likes of established spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal. Tilak grown an interest in cricket only after a chance meeting with former India and CSK cricketer Suresh Raina eight years back.
Eight years since that meeting with Suresh Raina, young Tilak Varma is impressing everyone with his lucid stroke play for Mumbai Indians.