Tilak Varma never dreamt of making ODI debut in Asia Cup, explains importance of Rohit Sharma support

Surging young batter Tilak Varma wants to do well, but never dreamed that he would get a chance to make his Team India ODI debut in the Asia Cup 2023, which is scheduled to begin from August 30.

Varma, who earned his first national team call up in the T20Is last month in West Indies, was named in the 17-member squad for the continental event on Monday (August 20).

The left-handed batter made his national team debut in the five-match T20I series against West Indies, scoring 173 runs, including a fifty at an average of 57.66 and strike rate of 140.65. And following his performance, Varma earned a call up the Asia Cup squad.

Thrilled with the news, Varma revealed he always dreamt of playing in ODIs for India, but never thought his dream will be fulfilled by making his One Day International debut in a big tournament like Asia Cup.

"I never dreamed like I will be debuting directly in the Asia Cup, that too in the One Day side. I was always dreaming that I would be playing in ODIs for India, but it's a big thing for me," Varma said in video posted by BCCI on X.

"Always dreamed for this. That I would be debuting for India in ODIs. That too in a single year I made my T20 debut and the next month getting a call for the Asia Cup. It's one of my dream. I'm just preparing for it."

The 20-year-old Hyderabad batter has been on the rise since he burst on to the scene in Indian Premier League (IPL) with Mumbai Indians last year, playing crucial knocks for the team in tough situations.

Varma reveals how Mumbai Indians skipper's advice helped him during his IPL debut and added how the India captain is always open to help the players.

"Rohit bhai always backed me. When I was playing in the IPL, I used to be a bit nervous at the start, he used approach me and talk about the game, saying 'Always enjoy your game and alway feel free, whenever you want to talk then come anytime to me or text me. I will be there for you anytime.'," Varma added.

"With that (Rohit's support) I have expressed myself in IPL and I'm expressing everywhere. I always talk to him. He always told to enjoy your game. So, that's what I'm doing. And I'm very happy that I'm in Asia Cup squad. I want to do well there as well as I want to enjoy like what I've been doing lately."

While he is likely to make his ODI debut in Asia Cup, Varma has experience of playing the 50-over format from his under-19 days and then his domestic career with Hyderabad.

The youngster, who was part of the Under 19 team in 2019, has represented Hyderabad in the domestic circuit, scoring 1236 runs, including 5 hundreds and 5 fifties in 25 List A matches. So, Varma is confident of making his mark in the One Day format as well.

"I'm pretty confident of playing One Day cricket because I've been playing the format since a very long time in domestic cricket. I have done well in List A cricket for my state and in the under 19s also I have done well," Varma said. "I'm pretty confident that I can do well in ODIs. So, I'm looking forward to it."

India will open their Asia Cup 2023 campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on September 2 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele, Sri Lanka.