Aim is to play in whites for India, says Tilak Varma after hitting hundred against NZ A in drawn unofficial Test

The 19-year-old scored a splendid 121 for India-A against New Zealand-A in the drawn first ‘Test’, proving the likes of Sunil Gavaskar right.

Tilak Varma plays a shot during the first unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A at M Chinnaswamy Stadium (KSCA), Bengaluru, on September 04, 2022.  | Photo Credit: Murali Kumar K

Tilak Varma didn’t quite expect the call-up to the India-A squad. But he made full use of the opportunity. Like he did at the IPL.

The 19-year-old Hyderabad batter scored a splendid 121 for India-A against New Zealand-A in the drawn first ‘Test’, proving the likes of Sunil Gavaskar right. The batting legend had said that Tilak could be an all-format player.

“My aim is to play in whites for India,” he said here on Sunday. “It was a good innings and I want to continue (to bat) like this.”

He said the IPL, in which he was one of the few positives for Mumbai Indians, gave him a lot of confidence. “That has helped my batting here,” said the promising batter.

He added that he also gained from working at the camp at the National Cricket Academy here. “I could work with V.V.S. Laxman, Hrishikesh Kanitkar and the supporting staff,” here. “The tips from them were useful for my practice in red-ball cricket.”

Tilak said he didn’t think he would get an opportunity to put that into use so quickly. “I was surprised when I was included in the India-A team, but it felt nice,” he said.