“I just sat at one corner to see him” - Tilak Varma opens up on first interaction with Rohit Sharma

Tilak Varma has developed into one of the most talented young batters in Indian cricket, but he once felt butterflies in his stomach when he met his idol, Rohit Sharma. The left-handed batter from Hyderabad spoke about his first meeting with his idol and how exciting the experience was.

Speaking on Breakfast with Champions, Tilak took the fans back to the 2022 IPL season - his first year playing for Mumbai Indians. He recalled that during the COVID-hit season the team was staying at the Taj Hotel in Mumbai and he was excited to meet Rohit.

"It happened in 2022 during COVID. We were at the Taj Hotel in Mumbai. I was sitting there waiting to meet him, and Rohit did not show up for the first two days. On the third day, I saw him everyday at the morning breakfast area with his family. I took some juice and just sat there in one corner to see him," shared Tilak with a laugh.

Tilak Varma remembers the first time he met Rohit Sharma

The young batter admitted he was way too shy to approach Rohit directly. "I wanted to speak to him but I was scared. Afterwards, one of the media guys told him about it, and he called me to his room. We just chatted for a long time,” he added.

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That interaction held a special place in the young player’s mind, and he has since become a key member of MI’s middle order. He has played 54 IPL matches, in which he has scored 1,499 runs at an average of 37.47 and a strike rate of 144.41.

Tilak also reminisced about his very first game at Wankhede Stadium against the Chennai Super Kings where he witnessed a sea of yellow that once greeted MS Dhoni. “When Mahi bhai, comes, people remove their blue jerseys and wear yellow. When he is out, blue comes back again,” he stated with a smile.

From a starstruck boy waiting to finally meet his idol to an automatic selection in MI’s playing XI, Tilak Varma’s journey encapsulates the wishes and emotions of every young cricketer who dares to be brave and dream big.