Tilak Varma received his first call-up for the five-match T20I series versus West Indies as a result of two outstanding campaigns during the Indian Premier League. The 20-year-old batted brilliantly in his debut game, scoring 39 runs off 22 balls and taking a stunning catch to remove Johnson Charles during the ninth over.
Dewald Brevis, a teammate of Varma’s in the Mumbai Indians camp, wrote him a very touching note following the conclusion of the game. The South African expressed his admiration for Varma’s stunning start and admitted that the Hyderabad-born cricketer’s two sixes in his first three deliveries gave him goosebumps.
Those shots on the second and third ball gave me goosebumps: Dewald Brevis
The Indian cricket team shared a video on social media where the young South African batter was seen congratulating his best friend. He said, “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. 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.”
The right-handed batter then backed his mate to go all the way for the Indian team. He added, “Those shots on the second and third ball gave me goosebumps. You always have my support and all the best for rest of the series. I’m backing you fully and go win every game for Team India. Cheers brother!.”
Tilak played exceptionally well, but team India lost the opening T20I in Trinidad. When West Indies batted first, they had trouble getting going, however, Nicholas Pooran as well as Rovman Powell did an excellent job in the middle, helping the home team get 149 runs.
Tilak’s performance kept the Indians in the contest even though India’s wickets collapsed like a deck of cards throughout the chase. After his dismissal, though, things started to look precarious again since the Hardik Pandya-led team fell short by four runs.
