Suryakumar Yadav asked me to play 'bindaas': Tilak Varma

India cricket team batsman Tilak Varma, who scored 107 not out off 56 balls, to help India reach an imposing 219-run total against South Africa and script an 11-run win in the third T20 International at Centurion credited the confidence given by team captain Suryakumar Yadav and team management for showing faith in him and letting him bat at No. 3.

Varma pointed at Yadav in the dressing room after reaching his first century in T20 Internationals. This was also his second hundred in T20 format.

“The captain and management said that I should play bindaas (freely), even if the wickets fall. Never had pressure. Followed basics and positive intent,” said Varma to the media after the match.

“That (gesture of pointing) was for Surya. He gave me the opportunity to bat at No. 3. Last two matches I batted at 4. He came to my room last night and said you’ll bat at No. 3.”

The 22-year-old left-handed batsman had lost a significant number of matches post IPL. He didn’t play the T20I series in Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.

“I suffered fracture in the last game of IPL. Lost two months because of that and I suffered fracture again in practice. So I felt bad that I have lost [the opportunity to play two series] in Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. But I kept patient and thought my time will come. I was waiting for this opportunity and was backing myself,” said Varma, who is also working on his off-spin and plans to use it in the upcoming domestic season.

The left-hander also made light of the reported friction between him and Hardik Pandya. Social media had targeted Pandya after he denied an opportunity to make half-century to Varma in a game last year.

“Hardik is a senior player, World Cup-winning team’s vice-captain and captain of Mumbai Indians. We bond well in the team. Whatever happens outside is outside,” he added.  

Tags : Tilak Varma, South Africa, Indian cricket team, India, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, T20I, Centurion