'I had promised that whenever I'll score 50 or 100...': Tilak Varma's 'Rohit-Samaira' connection behind unique gesture
Tilak Varma smashed his maiden T20I fifty against the West Indies on Sunday. He dedicated his special celebration to Rohit Sharma’s daughter Samaira.
Fresh from making an impressive debut for India, youngster Tilak Varma notched up his maiden half-century in his only second international appearance for the Men In Blue on Sunday. Tilak raised his stocks in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 after a series of spectacular performances for Rohit Sharma and Co. at the Mumbai Indians (MI) camp. On Tuesday, the Indian batter won several hearts after the 2nd T20I against the West Indies.
In a match where India's poor batting was thoroughly exposed by the West Indies bowlers, youngster Tilak played a brilliant knock to help the visitors post a respectable target. Smashing a quick-fire half-century for Hardik Pandya and Co. in the 2nd T20I at Guyana, the middle-order batter lifted the Men In Blue to 152-7 in 20 overs. The Indian southpaw also came up with a sweet gesture for Rohit's daughter Samaira when he completed his half-century.
"It was towards Sammy, Rohit bhai's daughter," he told reporters after India's match against the West Indies. "I am very close to Sammy. I had promised her that whenever I will score a century or a fifty, I will do a celebration for her," he added. The 20-year-old smashed five fours and 1 six in his entertaining knock against the West Indies. After the match, the Indian batter also gave India captain Rohit Sharma a special mention.
'Rohit Sharma is a support system for me'
The Mumbai Indians star said that he has been in constant touch with Rohit and ex-Indian all-rounder Suresh Raina . “Rohit Sharma is a support system for me. He helps me to improve my game, he guides me on how to perform in international matches. I am more inspired by Rohit Sharma, he helps me learn a lot. He taught me a lot at Mumbai Indians,” Tilak said at the post-match press conference.
The 20-year-old is India's leading run-getter in the West Indies T20Is. Averaging 45.00, he has amassed 90 runs in 2 games. Though Tilak played a sublime knock for the Rohit-less side in the 2nd T20I, his heroics went in vain as India suffered its second defeat to the West Indies in the five-match series. Nicholas Pooran's blistering knock powered the West Indies to a 2-wicket win over India at the Providence Stadium. Pooran's match-winning knock of 67 paved the way for the hosts to take a 2-0 lead over India at Guyana.
