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Tilak Varma has revealed that his journey as a captain started much earlier with some special guidance from India National Cricket Team head coach Gautam Gambhir. Ahead of the tri-nation one-day series in Sri Lanka, Tilak shared how Gambhir has been helping him prepare for bigger leadership roles in the future.
The talented left-hander will be captaining India. A side featuring several young stars who have already impressed in the IPL 2026 in the upcoming tri-nation one-day series in Sri Lanka. It is a big test for Tilak as he continues to grow as a leader.
India A will face Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A in the tri-series that will run from June 9 to June 21 at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. Each team will play the others twice before the top two sides meet in the final.
Tilak Varma reveals Gautam Gambhir's long-term plan for his future
Speaking about his leadership journey, Tilak Varma revealed that Gautam Gambhir has always encouraged him to think beyond India A whenever he takes charge of the team. The youngster said he was constantly reminded to look at the bigger picture and prepare himself for future opportunities at the highest level.
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Tilak Varma was quoted as saying by Revsportz: “Whenever I used to play for India, I would often speak with Gautam sir. He always told me that when leading India A, I should think ahead about the Indian team and prepare myself for bigger responsibilities. That advice stayed with me.”
Tilak Varma reveals the mindset behind his rise as captain
Speaking about his mindset, Tilak shared that he has tried to learn something from every match he has played. Whether it was making decisions on the field or understanding team situations, he has used every experience to improve himself both as a cricketer and as a captain.
The star batter added, “My mindset has always been about learning. In every match I played, I tried to understand what I could do better for the team, both as a player and as a captain. It is not something I started thinking about now. I was already preparing myself, and when the opportunity came, I was ready for it. Going forward, I want to continue on the same path.”
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Tilak Varma opens up on leadership lessons from Rohit Sharma
Tilak also spoke about the influence of former India captain Rohit Sharma on his growth as a leader. The Indian star revealed that he often turns to Rohit for advice, especially when it comes to captaincy and handling pressure situations, because he really enjoys how the former captain reads the game, manages difficult moments, and makes important decisions under pressure.
He signed off by saying, “I also spend a lot of time with Rohit bhai. We do not talk much about batting, but when it comes to captaincy, I learn a lot from him. I often ask him about his mindset, how he handles pressure, and the way he thinks during difficult situations. The small things I learn from him and the guidance he provides have been very valuable. I want to use those lessons and experiences in India's matches going forward.”
