Tilak Varma Shares Winning Secret After Scoring Stunning 72 in T20I Against England

India’s rising star, Tilak Varma, played a match-winning knock of 72* in the second T20I against England, helping his team to a thrilling victory. His performance not only secured India a 2-0 lead in the ongoing series but also highlighted his composure under pressure. After the match, Tilak opened up about his mindset and the advice he received from his mentor, Gautam Gambhir, which guided him through the chase.

Tilak Varma's Match-Winning Knock

India was chasing a target of 166 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, and the team found itself in a tough spot at 78/5 and later at 126/7. It seemed like England had a firm grip on the game, but Tilak Varma’s resilience turned the match in India’s favor. The left-handed batter faced 55 balls and scored an impressive 72*, including four boundaries and five sixes. His steady presence at the crease ensured India reached the target with four balls to spare.

Gautam Gambhir's Crucial Advice

Tilak Varma credited former cricketer Gautam Gambhir for his winning strategy. According to Tilak, Gambhir’s advice in a previous match had a big impact on his approach. "Gautam sir told me that when you need 10 runs in an over, you can do that too. When you need 7-8 runs, your role is crucial," Tilak explained. "He said my job was to stay till the end, let the non-striker score, and take singles while hitting one or two boundaries an over. He emphasised that if I stayed till the end, we would win the game. I had this in my mind, and I believed I would win the match," he added.

Tilak Varma's Form and Preparation

Tilak Varma has been in phenomenal form in recent T20I matches, including scoring back-to-back centuries during India’s tour of South Africa. Reflecting on his recent performances, he shared, “I have worked a lot on my strike rate, and my forward game is good. If I manage to hit a pickup shot or a bouncer, it becomes difficult for the bowler to get me out.” Tilak’s improvement in his game has translated into better results, as his ability to dominate bowlers has been evident in his recent outings.

Handling Pressure and Supporting Teammates

In the tense final overs of the chase, Tilak also spoke about his thought process as wickets continued to fall at the other end. He was batting alongside Arshdeep Singh and Ravi Bishnoi, both of whom played key roles in securing the win. “I was under a lot of pressure when wickets were falling,” Tilak admitted. “Arshdeep was saying, ‘I will hit it,’ and I kept advising him to defend well against Archer. I told him that if he got a bouncer, he should bend down.”

Tilak also praised Ravi Bishnoi’s performance, who played a crucial role in the chase. "Ravi has been batting well in nets, and I had a lot of faith in him. I told both Arshdeep and Ravi to hit in the gaps and take singles if necessary. Ravi’s two fours were very important, and I’m happy with how he played," said Tilak.