IPL 2022 | How a sudden meeting with Suresh Raina changed Tilak Varma's life

On April 02, Ravichandran Ashwin knocked over a 19-year-old left-handed batsman from Hyderabad. Just by his expressions, one could make out how much that wicket meant to the legendary off-spinner.

Ashwin has taken 1000+ wickets at the professional level, including 434+ at the Test level, comprising him some of the greatest batters who have ever played this game.

So, why was Ashwin so animated? That's because, on the previous delivery, he had been graciously reverse-swept by a 19-year-old chap called Tilak Varma.

Prior to his dismissal, Tilak showcased his entire range of stroke play to make everyone's jaw drop.

One of those onlookers was his childhood coach Salam Bayash, whose mind immediately wandered back to 2014 when he took a very young Tilak to watch a practice session of Suresh Raina. 

Even Raina would have been proud of the reverse-sweep that Tilak played.

Bayash remembers the events of that day as if it was yesterday.

"I had a friend of mine who was a local manager. So I took his help to procure permission to watch the practice and had little Tilak accompany," he told PTI.

Watching Raina go about his business in the nets hooked a young Tilak to this game feels Bayash.

 "I distinctly remember a wide-eyed Tilak watching Suresh Raina's batting with awe. He didn't remove his eyes even once and watched every shot played by Raina. Then we clicked pictures with him, and I strongly feel that the "special meeting" with Raina was enough for Tilak to decide that he wanted to become a cricketer," 

Varma scored a 33-ball 61, and even though his team ended on a losing note, he'd done enough to hog all the headlines and deservedly so.

But, amid all the fame, the contribution of his parents and coach isn't lost on the young lad.

"Had my coach and parents not backed me, I wouldn't have come so far. I dedicate this innings to all of them," 

"Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders are good teams, and so is Punjab Kings, which gives a lot of opportunities to youngsters, and it's luck that he landed in a champion team like MI. Which coach won't be proud of his student plays for MI," he said.

But, his real happiness lies in the act that his student, Tilak, managed to do what he couldn't: meet the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.

"When I was playing, I nurtured only one dream to meet and greet Tendulkar. So I am more pleased that my student is now meeting him and taking his tips," he signed off.

Tilak will look to continue with the good work in the upcoming games. His next assignment will come on April 06, when Mumbai Indians lock horns with the Kolkata Knight Riders.