Hyderabad: Three summers ago, the now-19-year-old Thakur Tilak Varma caught the attention of cricketing world when Rohit Sharma rated the youngster as a future ‘three-format player for India’. A year later in 2023, he went on to make his debut for India in T20Is and ODIs. But his Test debut still remains a dream. Having not made the India ‘A’ squad currently in England, the 22-year-old Hyderabad cricketer is determined to hone his red-ball prowess with a county stint at Hampshire this English summer. “I’m a bit disappointed for not getting picked in the India ‘A’ team.The team management must have had different plans. But I want to play for India in Tests. To play for Hampshire county is a great opportunity to prove myself and also improve my game,” Tilak told TOI. Tilak has played four ODIs and 25 T20Is, a format in which he is a India regular.
In 18 first-class matches, he has 1,204 runs with five hundreds. “I’ve been looking to get this opportunity for the last three years. But because of the international calendar, IPL and the domestic schedule, I could not play county cricket. Whatever time I get away from the national side, I want to improve my game,” he added. “I want to be the best player in all three formats.Quiz: Who’s that IPL player? A good show in English conditions will help me further my dream of playing Test cricket. This chance has come at the right time. I know I’m a good redball player and I want to prove that.” Tilak cited the case of Karun Nair, who made it to the Indian Test team after seven years in the wilderness because of a good domestic season. “Whatever chance I get, either domestic or county, I want to prove myself. Karun Nair’s story is inspirational for all the aspiring cricketers. He had a good domestic season and returned to the Indian Test team,” he added. Tilak will depart for England on June 16 and is likely to play his first match for Hampshire against Essex beginning June 22.
