Tilak Varma: Hyderabad batter rises as India’s new match-winner

HYDERABAD: India’s recent cricket triumphs have a strong Hyderabad connection in Namboori Thakur Tilak Varma. The 22-year-old left-hander has emerged as one of the national side’s most reliable young batters, with match-winning knocks in Asia Cup and bilateral series victories.

Early struggles and rise

Born on November 8, 2002, in Hyderabad, Tilak grew up in a modest household where his father worked as an electrician. His cricket journey changed when coach Salim Bayash spotted him and enrolled him at Legala Cricket Academy in Lingampally. Under guidance and with family support, Tilak broke into Hyderabad’s domestic circuit in the 2018-19 season. He later represented India in the 2020 Under-19 World Cup.

The Indian Premier League proved decisive for Tilak’s growth. Picked by Mumbai Indians in 2022, he impressed with consistent batting. By 2024, he had scored over 400 runs in a season and became one of MI’s key players. His ability to anchor or accelerate, depending on the match situation, strengthened his case for national selection.

Impact for India

Tilak made his T20I debut in August 2023 against West Indies, top-scoring with 39 runs. He scored his first international half-century in the same series, followed by an ODI debut during the Asia Cup. In November 2024, he struck consecutive centuries against South Africa. By September 2025, Tilak had played 32 T20Is, scoring 962 runs at an average of 53.44, with two centuries and four fifties. He is ranked No. 2 in the ICC T20I batting charts. In 2025, Tilak joined Hampshire for the English County Championship and scored a century on debut. His performance in seaming English conditions has strengthened talk of a possible Test debut.

Hyderabad’s pride

Tilak’s rise from Hyderabad’s bylanes to the national team embodies resilience and determination. His journey, backed by family and coaching support, has turned him into a symbol of hope for aspiring cricketers in the city. With India preparing for future World Cups, Tilak Varma is seen as one of the brightest prospects in Indian cricket.