In an impressive display of his versatility and adaptability, Mumbai Indian's young batter Tilak Varma delivered a match-defining cameo against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Tuesday. He hammered 37 off just 17 balls and helped MI post a formidable 192/5 on the board before being caught at deep point by Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Despite the loss of Varma's wicket, MI's collective bowling effort saw them bowl SRH out for 178 and secure their third consecutive win in the tournament. After the match, Varma expressed his confidence in stepping up for any role in the team, stating that he can bat comfortably at any position and in any given situation.
"I am always comfortable playing in any situation. I have worked on my game on the ground accounting for all possible situations. I always tell the management that I am confident to bat anywhere, in any situation. So, they are also confident and hence send me out to bat," Varma said in a post-match press conference.
Varma's impressive form from last season has carried on this season as well, and he has produced crucial knocks in four out of the five games so far. He has smashed 214 runs at an average of 53.50 and a strike rate of 158.52 in the ongoing tournament.
When asked about the difference between the last season, his first, and the current one, Varma asserted that he has full backing from the franchise and has matured as a player. "The first season (2022), I was a youngster, but since then, I always had the team back me. They don't see me as a youngster or a newcomer to the team. They always help me mature as a player," he said.
Varma's versatility and adaptability make him a valuable asset to the Mumbai Indians, who will host Punjab Kings at the Wankhede Stadium on April 22.