Tilak Varma on the way to become a superstar after Chennai heroics: Aakash Chopra
Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has lavished praise on young India batter Tilak Varma, describing him as a player on the path to becoming a superstar. Tilak’s remarkable performances in T20Is, including a match-winning knock against England on January 25 in Chennai, have reinforced his reputation as a reliable middle-order batter for India.
Aakash Chopra, in a recent YouTube video, highlighted how Tilak’s promotion to the No. 3 position during the South Africa series by skipper Suryakumar Yadav has transformed him into a consistent performer. Chopra expressed confidence in Tilak’s potential, stating that he is already close to being regarded as a superstar for his consistent match-winning contributions.
IND vs ENG, 2nd T20I: Highlights
“Tilak Varma, the superstar. We sometimes call someone a superstar very early. We also call someone a great or a legend very early these days. I am not saying that he is already a superstar but he is on the way,” Chopra said.
“He went till the end and didn’t throw away his wicket. 18 runs were required, eight wickets had fallen, and he had already hit five sixes, so he could have tried to hit three more sixes. However, he said he would go deep. The match was at Chepauk, it’s Dhoni’s home, so the guy should go deep while chasing,” he added.
In the second T20I against England, while India’s experienced batting lineup faltered, the 22-year-old stood firm. His unbeaten 72 off 55 balls was instrumental in helping India chase down a target of 166 with two wickets and four balls to spare. His innings was characterised by controlled aggression, intelligent shot selection, and a calm demeanour under pressure.
Against England, Tilak’s resilience was evident as he tackled a strong bowling lineup featuring Brydon Carse, Liam Livingstone, and Adil Rashid. While other key players such as Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and even Suryakumar Yadav struggled, Tilak’s innings stood out for its maturity and impact.
Since being elevated to his current batting role, Tilak has shown tremendous form, remaining unbeaten in his last four T20Is, scoring 318 runs, which include two consecutive centuries against South Africa, underlining his ability to rise to the occasion.
With consistent performances against quality opposition, Tilak Varma is proving himself to be a vital cog in India’s T20I setup, solidifying his place in the squad with each match.
