Tilak Varma Wins Gavaskar’s Praise After India’s Nervy T20 WC Opener

India survived a tense start to their T20 World Cup campaign, and Sunil Gavaskar made it clear why Tilak Varma mattered in that moment. India beat the USA by 29 runs, but the match was closer than it looks on paper. Gavaskar called Tilak Varma a street-smart cricketer who understands pressure better than many at his age.

India’s Shaky Start Sets the Tone

Defending champions India began their tournament at home with high expectations and a bit of anxiety. Asked to bat first at the Wankhede Stadium, things went wrong early. The pitch was tricky, movement was there, and wickets kept falling.

India were struggling at 77 for 6. It felt like a collapse waiting to finish the innings early. The crowd went quiet. The dugout looked tense.

Tilak Varma Walks In With Calm

Tilak Varma came in very early, just in the second over, after Abhishek Sharma got out. This was not an easy entry point. The team needed runs, but also needed someone to stay.

Gavaskar noticed this instantly. He said Tilak did not try to play like a hero. He chose his moments. He attacked when the field allowed it and stayed calm when risks were high.

Why Gavaskar Called Him Street Smart

According to Gavaskar, Tilak Varma knows when and where to play shots. That awareness makes him different. He pointed out a simple chip shot over mid-on that fetched a boundary. The fielder was inside the circle. Tilak knew it.

He was not looking for sixes. He was looking for survival mixed with smart scoring. That balance changed the innings mood.

Building, Not Rushing, The Innings

Tilak did not explode from ball one. He absorbed pressure first. Then he released it slowly. Gavaskar reminded fans that this is not new. The same approach was seen in the Asia Cup final.

If Tilak stays till the 14th or 15th over, Gavaskar believes India almost always gets close to 200. That kind of trust from a former captain says a lot.

Suryakumar Yadav And Siraj Seal It

While Tilak’s role set the base, Suryakumar Yadav finished the job. His unbeaten 84 was pure class under stress. He switched gears when required and kept the scoreboard moving.

Mohammed Siraj then stepped up with the ball. His figures of 3 for 29 kept the USA chase under control. The target of 162 was always challenging on that surface.

USA’s Fight Makes India Work Hard

The USA did not roll over. They fought, showed intent, and for a brief period made India uncomfortable. But experience finally showed. India restricted them to 132 for 9.

It was not a dominant win. It was a learning win. Sometimes those matter more early in a tournament.

Pressure Around Team Selection

India entered the match with concerns already. Injuries and illness ruled out key names, including Jasprit Bumrah. That absence was felt, especially when planning bowling rotations.

Gavaskar addressed this directly. He said the team management will watch Bumrah closely before the Namibia game. If fit, he walks straight back into the side.

What Happens To The Bowling Attack

If Bumrah returns, someone has to sit out. Gavaskar feels it could be a rotation between Bumrah, Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh. The idea is to keep everyone fresh for later stages.

No drastic changes are expected. Just smart workload management.

Batting Line-Up Likely To Stay Same

On the batting front, Gavaskar sees no reason for change. He expects better output, not replacements. Special mention went to Abhishek Sharma.

Gavaskar feels Abhishek often responds strongly after an early failure. He hinted that the Arun Jaitley Stadium crowd might see something special against Namibia.

Looking Ahead To Namibia Clash

India’s next match is against Namibia in Delhi. Conditions will be different. The pitch might suit stroke play more. Confidence from the USA win will help, even if the performance was not perfect.

Tilak Varma’s calm knock stands out as a reminder. Big tournaments are not always won by flashy shots. Sometimes, they are held together by street-smart cricket.