Tilak Varma Discusses Vice-Captaincy Role and Future Leadership Aspirations

Tilak Varma's New Role in Indian Cricket

Tilak Varma has shared his thoughts on being appointed as the vice-captain of the Indian cricket team, mentioning that Gautam Gambhir hinted at his potential future as captain. As Shreyas Iyer's deputy in the T20I squad, Tilak steps into a leadership role following significant changes in the team's hierarchy, which saw Suryakumar Yadav replaced and Axar Patel not retaining his vice-captaincy.

Before heading to the UK, Tilak is currently at the helm of the India-A team in a List A tri-series in Sri Lanka, set to run from June 9 to June 21. In a pre-match press conference, he expressed excitement about his new responsibilities, stating, "I feel a sense of importance with the title of Vice-Captain, which adds a positive pressure to my game." He emphasized the importance of maturity and leadership in his role.

Reflecting on his experiences, Tilak noted that Gambhir has always encouraged him to think about leading the senior team. He mentioned, "My mindset has been geared towards leadership for a while now, and I believe I am ready for this opportunity at the right moment."

Tilak also highlighted his relationship with Rohit Sharma, revealing that their discussions often focus on captaincy rather than batting. He stated, "I frequently ask Rohit bhai about his mindset under pressure and how he approaches leadership. His insights are invaluable, and I aim to incorporate them into my own game and leadership style."

This marks the third time Tilak has led the India-A team, having previously captained during the T20 format in the 2024 Emerging Asia Cup and a List A series against South Africa A last year.