From meeting Suresh Raina as a ball boy to maiden India call-up: The Tilak Varma story | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Cricketer Tilak Varma‘s childhood coach Salam Bayash was riding his scooter back home when his phone began to vibrate persistently. Initially, he ignored the calls, but as the phone continued to buzz, Bayash parked his scooter on the side of the road and checked his phone. There were around 35 video calls, and all were from his Tilak.
A shell-shocked coach called Tilak back. Before he could ask what had happened, the 20-year-old, who plays for Mumbai Indians in the IPL, burst out with excitement, and said, “Sir, I have been selected in the Indian team!”. Varma got his maiden India call-up when he was named in India’s squad for the upcoming five T20Is against the West Indies.
Bayash, who was travelling from his academy in Lingampalli, in Hyderabad to his residence in Barkas, which is about 40 km away, held his tears back and blessed his pupil.
“I was so happy I can’t tell you. I was in tears to see this kid rejoice. I will give all the credit to his hard work. He has worked day and night for this day. I am sure he will go a long way,” Bayash told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview.

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“I had driven for almost 23 kilometers when he called and after receiving that news the rest of the journey on my scooter seemed so peaceful. I was in a different state of mind. I just want this kid to go and live the moment because there are very few in this country who get this opportunity (to play for the India senior team). There is nothing like representing your country in any field,” an emotional coach further told TimesofIndia.com.

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‘TILAK IS IN SAFE HANDS’
Tilak, a left-handed batting all-rounder, emerged as a shining star, capturing the limelight with his impressive performances for the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2022, where he amassed 397 runs at a strike rate of 131.02. He brought the same spark to the 2023 campaign as well, as he concluded the season with an impressive tally of 347 runs in 11 matches, maintaining a staggering strike rate of 164.11.
Bayash, Tilak’s coach, firmly believes that the five-time IPL champions have played a pivotal role in shaping Tilak into a fearless and well-rounded batter.
“Mumbai Indians have played a big role in his career. They have groomed him. Mumbai Indians is a team where a player enters as a lump of clay and then the management moulds him, shapes him, strengthens him, and colours him for brighter prospects. Tilak is one of those players. The practice system is very good. They get a player 90 percent ready in practice itself. The God of cricket is there – Sachin Tendulkar. No one can teach you better than the God of cricket. His advice and tips can make a batter’s career. Tilak is thankful that he got the opportunity to grow in such an environment and reach this level. His (Sachin’s) support and encouragement were immense in Tilak’s career,” the coach further said.

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During IPL matches, there were instances where captain Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav walked up to Tilak to offer him advice and guidance.
Tilak was also observed engaging in discussions about shots with Surya, taking guidance, batting tips, and cricketing lessons. After some shots, Tilak also received applause and appreciation for his efforts from Surya.
“Rohit is a fantastic captain. He gave a lot of freedom and liberty to Tilak. Tilak always says Rohit tells him ‘tu khul ke khel na, tension nahi lene ka’ (Just play freely, don’t be stressed). That freedom has given Tilak confidence,” Bayash said.

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“Tilak was very good in cross shots and over-the-cover shots but slowly he started smart hitting. I would give credit to Suryakumar Yadav for this. When Surya, along with Sachin sir, Rohit, Arjun Tendulkar, Ishan Kishan, Shams Mulani, Dewald Brevis, and others visited Tilak’s house for a dinner party, he (Suryakumar) came to me and said ‘sir aap tension bahot lete hain, Tilak talented hai and wo safe hands mein hai mere, mai dekh lunga isko, aap tension mat lo’ (sir, don’t worry. Tilak is talented and he is in safe hands. I will take care of him),” Bayash further recalled.

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‘FROM PLAYING WITH WET TENNIS BALLS TO AN INDIA CALL UP’
Bayash’s daily commute from his residence in Barkas to the academy in Lingampally is a routine journey.
Sometimes, he takes time out of his schedule to visit his friends at the Barkas cricket ground.
It was in 2011 that Bayash’s chance encounter with Tilak took place there.
He saw a young boy (Tilak) playing tennis-ball cricket with his friends.

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Tilak, then 11-year-old, showcased his exceptional skills by effortlessly smashing sixes against bowlers older than him.
Bayash was left in awe of the prodigy and found himself visiting the ground regularly to observe Tilak’s remarkable talent.
Bayash approached the young talent and spoke to him.
“Tilak used to travel 7-8 kilometers from Balapur (his residence) to that ground with his friends. He was hitting the ball against bowlers who were 17 or 18 years of age. He was batting with a free mind. I started going to the ground regularly and then decided to help this talent,” Bayash shared with TimesofIndia.com.
“After 5 or 6 days, I asked him ‘tu kisi camp ya club se khelta hai kya?’ (Do you represent any camp or club?. He said ‘nahi sir’ (No sir). Maine pucha khelna chahta hai?’ (I asked him, do you want to play?). He happily replied ‘haan sir, mai khelna chahta hai.’ (Yes sir, I want to play). I decided to talk to his father who is an electrician. I spoke to his father. He said he goes to school and can’t afford cricket lessons. I smiled and said, – ‘don’t worry, I will take care of it’. His father agreed. That’s how our journey started. I used to pick Tilak from Balapur and take him to the academy. This became our regular routine,” the coach said.

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“I am so happy that all his (Tilak) hard work has paid off. He struggled a lot and has never been undisciplined. He was a keen learner. I wish him all the best for the beautiful journey ahead.”
‘TILAK THE BALL BOY AND HIS MEETING WITH ‘IDOL’ RAINA’
As a kid, Tilak always admired fellow southpaw, Suresh Raina. He would watch his videos and try to emulate Raina. He often copies his batting style too.
Bayash knew Tilak’s admiration for Raina. He decided to fulfill his dream by giving him a surprise gift.

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“He was mad about Raina. I wanted him to show his class in one-day school leagues. I lured him by saying, if you score a century in this league, I will give you a big gift. And he did score a century. After some days, CSK came to play SRH in an IPL game. I had already spoken to some officials and requested him to let Tilak be a ball boy in that match. I took Tilak to the stadium and took him to a dedicated area, and he was given a jersey and the duty of being a ball boy for the match. Raina was playing in that match. That was a gift from me to him. I had another gift for him. After the match, he met Raina as well. Tilak was just delighted to meet him. He touched his feet and took many tips from him,” the coach told TimesofIndia.com.

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“Raina gave him some batting tips and some fielding tips too. He told him about batting postures and gave him a lot of other tips. After returning home, late in the night, Tilak didn’t sleep and started those batting drills in the backyard of his house. His mother called me and said – ‘sir, ye pagal ho gaya hai’ (sir, he has gone mad). I laughed and said let him enjoy.”
Bayash also feels that Tilak, who has been included in the T20I squad vs West Indies, is an all-format player.
“This is just the beginning for him. Tilak is an all-format player. He takes some time to adjust to formats. He will play red-ball and white-ball cricket,” Bayash signed off.