Former Indian national cricket team and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batsman Ambati Rayudu has praised young batsman Tilak Varma, saying he is a “superstar cricketer”.
Ambati Rayudu believes that Tilak Varma has the potential to dominate with the bat in ODIs and Tests along with T20Is and can become an all-format cricketer for the Indian national cricket team.
I feel India has a huge superstar and he can become an all-format player – Ambati Rayudu on Tilak Varma
In an interaction with Star Sports, Rayudu heaped praise on Tilak Varma following his batting masterclass at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai in the second T20I against England.
The maturity shown by Tilak Varma impressed Rayudu, who urged the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee to groom the youngster and make him a three-format player.
“He is a superstar cricketer and I have seen him grow up in Hyderabad. He has played four extraordinary knocks. Ever since Suryakumar Yadav became the captain, the trust that has been placed in him and the trust that has been shown in him is paying him back completely,” he said.
“I feel India have a huge superstar and he can become an all-format player. He is not just a T20 player. Given the maturity he showed today (Saturday), he has the ability to be a match-winner for India for many years, so I feel it should be supported in any format,” he added.
England came up with a plan that they will play short against Tilak Varma – Ambati Rayudu
Ambati Rayudu further spoke about how Tilak Varma spoiled England's bowlers' plans by batting exceptionally well in Chennai. He elaborated:
“England came up with a plan to bowl short against Tilak Varma, give him no room and make him play the shot to fine leg. However, Tilak Varma had all the answers.
“He used the pace very well. Angles are extremely important in batting. He hit the balls wherever he wanted using the pace. He batted exceptionally with the right approach and execution and I don't think England will try to bowl like that again.”
Tilak Varma created history with a match winning knock in the 2nd T20I
Varma was the lone warrior for the hosts in the second T20I against the Three Lions and played a Virat Kohli-esque knock to lead his team to an epic victory.
Varma didn't get much support from the other end but stood strong in the middle and played a sensational knock of 72 runs to guide India to victory.
With his heroics in Chennai, he took his tally to 318 runs in T20Is without getting out. Varma created history and broke the previous record held by New Zealander Mark Chapman who had scored 271 runs between his two dismissals. Varma also surpassed Virat Kohli's tally of 258 runs in four consecutive T20I innings.