Tilak Varma Opens Up About Pressure-Filled Overs and Praises Suryakumar Yadav Leadership

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In the aftermath of his match-winning knock in the second T20I against England, India's Tilak Varma opened up about the pressure he faced during the tense final overs and praised the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav.

Varma called him an "absolute delight" for youngsters. His 72 not out from 55 balls was crucial in India's successful chase of 166, and Varma revealed the emotions he felt when wickets were falling around him.

Handling Pressure in the Final Overs

Varma admitted he was under significant pressure as the wickets kept falling at the other end. In his conversation with Arshdeep Singh, who was batting with him, Varma recalled, "Arshdeep was saying, 'I will hit it. I will hit it. I have to give a single.' So, I thought, on this wicket, Archer can't get you out... I knew that Arshdeep would try to hit the spinner. I said, 'No, bhai,'" he shared with Star Sports.

Varma explained that he encouraged Arshdeep to focus on the pacer Jofra Archer while he took responsibility for facing spinner Adil Rashid. Despite the pressure, the partnership between Varma and Ravi Bishnoi was instrumental in India's victory.

"The best thing to see was Ravi Bishnoi's batting. He has done a very good job in nets. I had a lot of faith in both of them that they could play," Varma praised his teammate. Bishnoi's crucial boundaries, including a flick off Rashid, proved to be match-winning shots.

It helped India cross the line with four balls to spare. Varma also highlighted Suryakumar Yadav's influence, noting that his leadership has been pivotal in making newcomers feel at ease in the Indian setup.

He shared, "He maintains the bond so well with every player. On the field, off the field too. He gives so much time to all the players... He bonds so well with everyone. It feels great when someone like Suryakumar Yadav, the captain of India, is with us." Varma credited Yadav with fostering a comfortable environment, allowing players to perform without feeling pressure.

His respect for Suryakumar's leadership, both on and off the field, was evident, as he emphasized the captain's crucial role in building camaraderie among the team. With India leading the five-match series 2-0, the focus now shifts to the upcoming third T20I in Rajkot on January 28.