(Cricket News) Tilak Varma had not anticipated making his debut for India at this early stage of his career. However, now that he has fulfilled this dream, his aspirations are directed towards a new goal: winning a World Cup.

At the age of 20, Varma, who was a member of the 2020 U-19 World Cup squad, showcased his fearlessness by contributing a remarkable 39 off 22 deliveries in his inaugural appearance with the senior Indian team. This debut occurred during the opening T20I against the West Indies, a match where the visiting side unfortunately fell short by a margin of four runs

The aspiration to represent one’s country is a shared dream among many. I never anticipated the opportunity to play for India coming my way so soon in my career. Following the Under-19 World Cup, the unforeseen impact of the coronavirus added an unexpected twist. Therefore, I decided to seize every chance that came my way,” Varma shared in a video shared by the BCCI.

Varma, who is associated with the Mumbai Indians, showcased an impressive performance in the 2023 IPL season, amassing 343 runs at an average of 42.8 across 11 matches. In the 2022 edition, he scored 397 runs in 14 matches.

“From my earliest days, my primary ambition has been to secure a World Cup victory for India. I continually contemplate strategies to achieve this goal, visualizing scenarios where I step onto the field and contribute to winning the World Cup,” he remarked.

“Now that I have donned the India jersey, my previously envisioned scenes have become a reality. This further solidifies my belief that the actual moment of winning the World Cup is also on the horizon. It’s an incredible feeling that’s hard to put into words. Many inquire about it, and while I find it challenging to express, I’m truly elated and filled with pride. Progressing one step at a time, let’s see how things unfold.”

As the upcoming ODI World Cup is scheduled for October-November in India, the subsequent T20 World Cup is projected to commence on June 4 next year, co-hosted by the West Indies and USA.

Varma was pleasantly surprised to receive a congratulatory message from his Mumbai Indians teammate, Dewald Brevis of South Africa, celebrating his debut for India.

“Hello there, my brother. I can only imagine how thrilled you must be feeling. I might be equally thrilled myself, but I wanted to take this moment to convey my heartfelt congratulations to you, on behalf of both myself and the Brevis family, for your remarkable debut,” Brevis shared in a video message.

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