Former India opener Virender Sehwag has been impressed by the performances of young Mumbai Indians (MI) batter Tilak Varma and has offered him valuable advice to further develop his game.
Varma, who made his IPL debut in 2022, showcased consistent performances, scoring 397 runs in 14 matches at an average of 36.09. In the 2023 edition, he continued to shine, amassing 343 runs in 11 matches at an average of 42.88.
Varma's standout knock of 43 off just 14 balls in the Qualifier Two against GT caught Sehwag's attention, prompting him to provide guidance to the talented youngster. Sehwag emphasized the importance of focusing on fitness and identifying specific skills to work on.
"He should focus on two things: improving his fitness and identifying the skills he can work on, along with his mindset. Often, when you play regular cricket, you evolve over time. But when you're not playing, you need to prioritize your fitness and skills. Take Suryakumar Yadav, for example; he practiced extensively for his shots," Sehwag told Cricbuzz.
Sehwag also advised Varma to concentrate on strengthening his weaknesses, noting that the 20-year-old player reminded him of his younger self. Drawing upon his own experience, Sehwag highlighted the significance of addressing areas of improvement.
"Tilak Varma should focus on improving his weaknesses. It reminds me of myself when I made my debut for India in 1999. I was dismissed by Shoaib Akhtar, and the ball hit my pad before I could bring my bat down. Sourav Ganguly told me one thing: go back, practice against fast bowling, so you come better prepared. I used to play in the middle-order, scoring runs against spin, and by the time fast bowlers came, I had already scored a century. Similarly, Tilak Varma needs to identify his weaknesses," Sehwag explained.
Sehwag's advice carries weight, given his illustrious career and his ability to overcome challenges during his playing days. His guidance to Varma reflects a keen understanding of the young batter's potential and a desire to see him excel in the future.
As Tilak Varma continues to make strides in his cricketing journey, Sehwag's valuable insights and suggestions are likely to contribute to the development of the promising Mumbai Indians batsman.