Tilak Varma Aims for Test Cricket Glory Amid Duleep Trophy Aspirations

Tilak Varma, known for his motivational tattoo 'Dancing Through the Storm', is making waves in the cricketing world with his impressive performances in the Duleep Trophy. Scoring 116 and 51, he aims to transition from white ball formats to Test cricket, emphasizing his love for red ball cricket. Despite his commitments to the Indian T20I squad, he expresses a strong desire to participate in the Duleep Trophy final. With hopes of recovering teammates and a passion for the game, Tilak's journey reflects his dedication and ambition in the sport. Read on to discover more about his cricketing aspirations and challenges.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 3, 2026, 00:18 IST

Tilak Varma's Motivational Journey

Tilak Varma showcases a well-known motivational tattoo behind his ears that reads — Dancing Through the Storm.

Reflecting the essence of this tattoo, which symbolizes maintaining composure in turbulent times, Tilak delivered two remarkable innings, scoring 116 and 51, leading South Zone to the Duleep Trophy final on Wednesday.

For Tilak, these performances are not just about the trophy; they are also tied to his dream of representing India in Test cricket.

He expressed, “My passion has always been red ball cricket. I never envisioned myself playing white ball formats for India, but it seems to be part of a divine plan. I’ve made my debut in T20s and ODIs, yet my true strength lies in red ball cricket.”

Commitment to Red Ball Cricket

Over the past three years, Tilak has participated in 53 T20 internationals and five ODIs, but he emphasized that he has consistently trained with the red ball.

“I’ve dedicated myself to this sport since I was 10, and now at 23, I’ve earned my place in white ball formats thanks to the IPL. However, my foundation has always been in red ball cricket,” he stated.

He lamented the limited opportunities to play domestic cricket due to overlapping international commitments.

“Currently, I’m available for T20s and ODIs, but my heart lies with red ball cricket. Unfortunately, my international schedule has hindered my participation in domestic red ball matches, especially the Ranji Trophy.”

Transitioning Between Formats

Tilak noted that recent openings in the Indian Test team, particularly at positions like No. 3 or No. 6, have sparked his aspirations to wear the whites.

He shared insights on the challenges of switching formats, stating, “Transitioning from white ball to red ball is more challenging than the reverse. While it’s not easy, having a solid technique in red ball cricket is essential for excelling across all formats.”

Duleep Trophy Final Uncertainty

Tilak's participation in the upcoming Duleep Trophy final in Chennai, scheduled from September 6 to 10, remains uncertain as he has been named in India’s T20I squad for a series against Afghanistan.

The T20 matches will take place in New Delhi starting September 13, leaving Tilak with limited time to travel and join the national team.

Despite this, he expressed his desire to compete in the final, saying, “I would love to play in the Duleep Trophy final. The Afghanistan match is on the 13th, but I’m ready for the final. If I report on the 11th, I can practice for a day before the match.”

Injury Updates

Tilak also expressed hope that injured pacer Vidwath Kaverappa would recover in time for the final. Kaverappa had sustained an ankle injury and managed to bowl only 12.1 overs in North Zone’s second innings.

“Vidwath’s ankle is slightly swollen, but he can walk and is running with support. I believe he will be fit for the final. We’ll assess his recovery soon,” he added.