IND vs WI: Tilak Verma’s parents and coach were crying after hearing the news of selection, MI batter got special tips from Sachin, Virat, Rohit, Pollard

On the evening of Wednesday 5 July 2023, Tilak Verma was informed by his childhood friend about his selection in the Indian T20 team. Tilak Verma video-called the parents to share the news. Speaking to The Indian Express, Tilak Verma said, ‘My mother and father were literally crying on the video call. I video called him. He was very emotional. My coach (Salaam Bayash) was also in the same condition. He was also very emotional.

Tilak Verma was representing South Zone in the second semi-final of the Duleep Trophy 2023 in Bengaluru on the day he was selected in Team India for the T20I series against the West Indies. He missed out on scoring a half-century in the first innings, but being selected in Team India has boosted his confidence a lot.

Tilak Verma said, ‘I was confident, because I was thinking that now I am a capped player. I was confident and I was confident yesterday too, but it was a different level. This is the same M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru where Tilak Verma grabbed everyone’s attention in IPL 2023 with his brilliant innings. Then Mumbai Indians had lost 4 wickets for 48 runs. In such a situation, Tilak Verma scored an unbeaten 84 in 46 balls.

Tilak played memorable innings for Mumbai Indians at M Chinnaswamy Stadium itself

Tilak Verma said of the days after that innings, ‘I was just thinking about my process. I wasn’t thinking about anything else. I was thinking that whatever matches are coming in front of me, I should focus on them and I was happy when the team got selected.

This is the same M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru where Tilak Verma grabbed everyone’s attention in IPL 2023 after playing a scintillating knock. In that match, Mumbai Indians were faltering after losing 4 wickets for 48 runs. In such a situation, Tilak Verma scored 84 not out in 46 balls.

Tilak Verma said of the days after that innings, ‘I was just thinking about my process. I wasn’t thinking about anything else. I was thinking that whatever matches are coming in front of me, I should focus on them and I was happy when the team got selected.

Tilak Verma’s father is an electrician, the journey is full of struggle

Tilak Verma’s father Namburi Nagaraju is an electrician, so his decision to make cricket a career was not an easy one. However, looking at his ability, coach Salam Bayash waived Tilak Verma’s fee. Not only this, Salam Byash used to take Tilak Verma from his home about 40 km away from the academy for practice and then drop him home.

Being selected in the Indian team is a big deal: Tilak Verma

Tilak Verma said, ‘It is a big thing to be selected for the Indian team. I spoke to some of my childhood friends and parents and coaches. Even during sleep, I was thinking only about the selection. It (selection) is a big deal, but for now I have put it aside as I have only one match to win South Zone.

With India’s T20 team having a settled batting line-up at the top, Tilak Verma may have to bat in the middle order, as he did for Mumbai Indians in the IPL. It’s not an easy task but thanks to Kieron Pollard’s advice, he is getting used to it.

Pollard’s advice to Tilak- keep calm and focus on the next ball

Tilak Verma said, ‘I will always back myself in any situation. I try to go in with a clear mindset because Kieron Pollard always tells me to keep calm and focus on the next ball. When you are in shape, you can play your shots.

Tilak Verma has also got some valuable tips from Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who are stressing on him the importance of getting things right off the field to maintain success in the middle order. Tilak Verma said, ‘They always tell me that when you are in the room on the eve of the match, always think how you are going to bat tomorrow.’

Tilak Verma said, ‘It helps me visualize how to bat, if you have 4 or 5 wickets in 40 or 50 runs (even in the World Cup) then how do you take the game. That’s the kind of mindset I’m working on, so that will help me going forward. By doing this it is becoming easier for me.