‘Rohit Sharma has always been my inspiration’

PROVIDENCE (GUYANA): Rookie batter Tilak Varma feels the constant guidance from his mentor Rohit Sharma has played a big role in his stellar start to international cricket.

Varma has been the standout batter for India in the five-match T20 series in the Caribbean.

“He (Rohit bhai) has been a support system and always told me to enjoy the game. He always guides me how to play,” Varma said after scoring his maiden T20 fifty albeit in a losing cause.

“My inspiration from childhood is (Suresh) Raina and Rohit. I spend most time with Rohit. In my debut IPL season, he said ‘Tilak is an all format player’ and it boosted my confidence.”

Varma hit 51 off 41 balls to guide India to 152 for seven in second T20, a target which West Indies overwhelmed in 18.5 overs riding on Nicholas Pooran’s 40-ball 67.

“The wicket was slow and double paced. So first we thought 150-160 would be a good score but I think we were 10 runs short. Credit goes to Pooran, he batted really well. We knew if we got one wicket we could save the match because the wicket was not easy, it was on the slower side,” Varma said about the match.

“They (West Indies) bowled really good, they used slower ones and bowled hard lengths. They used the wind conditions really well. Credit goes to them.”

Varma dedicated his celebration after scoring his maiden fifty to Rohit’s daughter Samaira with whom he shares a close bond.

“It was towards Sammy, Rohit’s daughter,” he told reporters after the match.

Talking about his nascent journey in international cricket, Varma said the key to longevity is consistency.

“International cricket is not easy. To sustain you have to be consistent. You have to be disciplined off the field, on the field. You have to be disciplined in your work ethic. If you do all these things on a routine basis, you will get good results,” he said.

“The two IPL seasons I played was the turning point in my career. The performances there earned me India call-up.”