NEW DELHI: Tilak Varma did not expect to make his India debut so early in his career, but now that he has, he hopes to achieve his next goal: win a World Cup.
The 20-year-old Varma, who was a member of the 2020 U-19 World Cup squad, hit 39 off 22 balls in his senior India debut against the West Indies, which the visitors lost by four runs at Tarouba in Trinidad on Thursday.
"Everyone has this dream of playing for the country, I never thought that I will be able to play for India so soon in my career, because, after the Under-19 World Cup, there was the coronavirus issue which happened, so I thought let me just use the opportunity that I get," Varma said in a video posted by the BCCI.
Varma, who plays for the Mumbai Indians, scored 343 runs at an average of 42.8 in 11 matches during the 2023 IPL season, after scoring 397 runs in 14 matches during the previous season.
"From childhood, it has been my goal to win India the World Cup. In my mind, I always think about ways how to win the World cup. I keep visualising everyday that I will go and bat in this number and win World Cup," he said.
"Now I got the India jersey and I used to visualise, but now, it has come true, so I feel that moment (of winning World Cup) will also come soon. This is a great feeling, I can't express it, everyone asks me but I am just feeling really happy and proud. So taking it step by step, let's see how it happens."
While the upcoming ODI World Cup is scheduled to be held in India in October-November, the next T20 World Cup, co-hosted by the West Indies and USA, is expected to begin on June 4 next year.
Varma also received a surprise message from his MI colleague, Dewald Brevis of South Africa, congratulating him on his India debut.
1/10:1st T20I: West Indies stun India by 4 runs
AFP
2/10:West Indies beat India
<p>West Indies won the opening Twenty20 International by 4 runs on Thursday as India flopped in pursuit of a modest 150-run target at the Brian Lara Stadium. </p>AP
3/10:Rovman Powell
<p>Captain Rovman Powell top-scored with 48 in his 32-ball knock as the West Indies made 149-6 after winning the toss and opting to bat. </p>AFP
4/10:Nicholas Pooran
<p>Nicholas Pooran fell for 41, but the West Indies were restricted to only 21 off the final three overs. </p>AFP
5/10:Yuzvendra Chahal
<p>Yuzvendra Chahal trapped Kyle Mayers leg-before for one and removed fellow opener Brandon King (28) the same way two balls later. </p>AFP
6/10:T20 specialists
<p>Well-placed at 77-3 in the 11th over thanks to debutant Tilak Varma's top score of 39 and 21 from Suryakumar Yadav, India lost six wickets for just 68 runs. </p>AFP
7/10:Tilak Varma
<p>Tilak Varma hit three sixes in his 22-ball innings, with two of his sixes came in the first three balls he faced from Alzarri Joseph. </p>AFP
8/10:Fine debut
<p>Tilak Varma's innings ended on the last ball of the 11th over when he was caught at fine leg by Hetmyer off Romario Shepherd with the total at 77. </p>AFP
9/10:Suryakumar Yadav
<p>Suryakumar Yadav's was the third wicket to fall, brilliantly caught by Hetmyer who dived to his left at short extra cover off Jason Holder. </p>AFP
10/10:Hardik Pandya
<p>Skipper Hardik Pandya (19), Axar Patel (13) and Singh (12) all made useful contributions but struggled to force the pace on a slow pitch. </p>AP"Hey brother, I hope you are very excited. I don't know If I am more excited than you, but I just want to say from my side and from the Brevis family, congratulations on your debut," Brevis said in a video.
"It's such a great moment for you and your family. I can just imagine how happy your parents and everyone must be. It's great to see you out there, living your dream out."
(With PTI inputs)
