Tilak Varma revealed how huge pressure he was under during the crunch Asia Cup final against Pakistan, exposing what helped him remain calm and perform when the chips were down. As India struggled through their modest 147-run chase, Varma rose to the occasion with a game-winning 69 not out*.
The left-hander took control in a crucial moment of the game. Having added 57 off 50 balls in a holding partnership with Sanju Samson (24), the actual momentum change happened with his stand with Shivam Dube, who hit 33 off 22 balls. Their 60-run stand off 40 balls turned the game firmly India’s way, ruining Pakistan’s chances.
Talking after the match, Varma said his approach is always to prioritize the country first, and in tight situations, he relies on the fundamentals and discipline instilled in him from his early years of cricket. This mental clarity, he let on, keeps him focused instead of allowing pressure to get the better of him.
“Of course, nerves were there, so much was going on in my mind and my body. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it now: the country is always ahead. India is far above all. What I keep in my mind and heart is, whatever I do, I dedicate everything to the country today. That’s all that was running in my mind. What is needed at this moment – if I come under pressure, I’ll let the country down. Not just myself, but all 1.4 billion people; I don’t want to let them down. So, I stay calm, rely on the basics I learned from childhood, and do what I was taught by my coaches. That’s what I used and executed,” Varma told reporters.
Interestingly, Varma also revealed that in the last, Pakistan players attempted to get under his skin with on-field sledging in a bid to distract him from his game. Although he did not elaborate on the dialogue portion of the exchanges, he downplayed it as something that’s part and parcel of intense India-Pakistan confrontations.
“Yes, definitely – a lot happened. I can’t tell all on camera – but it happens behind the scenes between batsman and bowler, and especially in India-Pakistan games. It’s all part of the game. As I said, in the middle, a bit happens, they say something, but the real reply comes after the match – the best answer is with the bat. That’s what I did and showed them,” he added.
In spite of the tension, Varma’s maturity and cool-headedness came to the fore, making an awkward run a memorable victory and showing once again that pressure has a way of bringing out the best from India’s young talent.
