Tilak Varma, riding the momentum of a stunning unbeaten hundred versus Gujarat Titans, explained that during a difficult spell he sought guidance from Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma. The advice, Varma said, was simple: spend time in the middle first, then let your attacking instincts take over once you\u2019ve seen enough deliveries.<\/p>\n
Speaking ahead of Mumbai Indians\u2019 clash with Chennai Super Kings, Varma described how Rohit\u2019s counsel helped him steady his approach after runs had dried up. \u201cI was carrying a lot of pressure and I felt I wasn\u2019t in great form,\u201d he said. \u201cI was especially talking with Rohit bhai. He told me, \u2018You play 15 or 20 balls and you\u2019ll understand what you can do\u2014just trust it. After those 15 balls, what you can manage is something we know and everyone knows. So just do this. Don\u2019t focus on the situation and don\u2019t look at anything else. First play 15 balls, and then we\u2019ll see what happens after that.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Varma added that the message stayed with him as he built his innings. \u201cThat gave me confidence,\u201d he said. \u201cI had it in my mind that I would play 15 balls and only then think about the rest. Once I had done that, I knew I could take on anyone. It\u2019s natural\u2014once you play more, you get used to the ball, you adjust to the wicket. Those are the basics. Then the game started flowing, and after that the result came.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ravichandran Ashwin later described Varma\u2019s knock as one of the best centuries in IPL history, crediting it for pulling Mumbai Indians back on track in a season that had been wobbling. Prior to that match against Gujarat Titans, Varma had scored 43 runs in five outings. At the Narendra Modi Stadium, however, he looked completely settled, accelerating to a 45-ball century.<\/p>\n
Just as important, Varma\u2019s impact continued after the batting timeout in Mumbai\u2019s innings. Of the 96-run target chase total\u2019s final 83 runs, Varma was directly responsible for 83 off his own bat, underlining how decisive his spell at the crease was.<\/p>\n
Reflecting on why the century mattered, Varma\u2014now 23\u2014said it was significant both for his team and for him personally. \u201cTo be honest, it was very important for the team and for me as well,\u201d he stated. \u201cIn a couple of innings, I wasn\u2019t taking that time in the middle. So I was just thinking about staying at the wicket for a few balls, and then I kept going according to the situation. I\u2019m happy it worked out for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
With the unbeaten hundred, Varma became only the fourth batter to score a century at No. 5 in IPL history. Even so, he reiterated that his preferred batting spot is No. 3. \u201cThis question has been asked to me for the last three years,\u201d he said. \u201cAs I\u2019ve said before, I would always love to bat at No. 3, but I\u2019m ready wherever the team needs me\u2014whether it\u2019s 4, 5, 6, or 7. Anywhere, I\u2019m prepared.\u201d<\/p>\n
Varma also explained that experience across different positions has helped him understand how to manage his innings. \u201cBecause I\u2019ve batted in different spots over the last three years, I know what situations call for,\u201d he said. \u201cI know how to behave, which bowler I can go after, and how the wicket plays. When the innings goes deeper, the ball gets a bit softer and comes on differently. So I adjust my plans accordingly. I have my game plan, and wherever the team needs me to bat, I\u2019m ready.\u201d<\/p>\n
The T20 World Cup winner further opened up about his practice routine, saying he doesn\u2019t simply overwork his batting when runs aren\u2019t coming. He described a recent conversation with his childhood coach as a key part of his self-assessment during the lean period. \u201cI always think about what is needed at that moment,\u201d Varma said. \u201cSometimes I feel like I have to practise more; sometimes I feel like I have to stay away from the game. In my mind, before going to sleep, I think about how I\u2019m feeling. Because it\u2019s not always the same\u2014when you\u2019re not scoring runs, it doesn\u2019t mean you just have to practise more to fix it. It doesn\u2019t work like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that even during the World Cup, his approach shifted based on how his early matches went. \u201cEven in the World Cup, my first two or three matches were (not) decent, and at that time I felt I had to practise more, so I was practising a lot,\u201d he said. \u201cThen when I didn\u2019t do well in the next two or three matches, I felt I needed to stay away from the game, so I didn\u2019t practise much.\u201d<\/p>\n
Varma said the person he wanted to speak to was his childhood coach, as he wanted to discuss his batting in detail. \u201cI wanted to share a few things about my batting with him, so I spoke to him,\u201d he recalled. \u201cAfter that conversation, I felt relaxed. I didn\u2019t practise much, but I knew it was just a matter of one innings and I would be back. At the right time, it came together\u2014God helped me,\u201d Varma concluded, describing his mindset through both difficult and confident phases.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Tilak Varma, riding the momentum of a stunning unbeaten hundred versus Gujarat Titans, explained that during a difficult spell he sought guidance from Mumbai Indians…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":4492,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"Tilak Varma on Rohit Sharma Advice for IPL Middle Overs","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Tilak Varma reveals how Rohit Sharma\u2019s middle-overs advice boosted his confidence, after a tough spell, as he eyes impact for Mumbai in IPL.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4493","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n