WATCH: Tilak Varma Smashes Sixes in Training Session as Mumbai Indians Gear Up for IPL 2024

Mumbai Indians batter Tilak Varma has showcased his batting prowess in the nets ahead of the IPL 2024 campaign. The five-time IPL-winning franchise shared a video of their training session on X in which Varma can be seen hitting a ton of seamless sixes. The Indian batter’s shots look so sublime that it even sparked a reaction from nearby watchers who could be heard saying, “Look at that, Look at that!” The post shared by MI read, “Tilak’s bat striking the perfect chord in the nets”. Known for his elegance with the bat, Varma has only participated in two IPL campaigns so far. The 2024 season will be his third with the Mukesh Ambani-owned franchise.

Tilak Varma hails from the Indian city of Hyderabad and has played a total of 4 first-class, 16 List A and 15 T20 games. He proved to be a revelation in the 2021-22 Vijay Hazare trophy where he scored 180 runs in five games while also taking four wickets. Seeing his performances in domestic cricket, there was a lot of hype surrounding Varma in the 2022 IPL Auction. Several teams including the likes of Sunrisers Hyderabad, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals wanted to secure the services of Varma. A base price of Rs 20 lakh was set for the player. After a bidding war, MI were finally able to acquire Varma for Rs 1.7 crore.

The immensely high price tag for the newcomer was perfectly justified given how Tilak Varma performed with MI in his debut season. He played a total of 14 games in the 2022 season. In those matches, Varma smashed 397 runs with a best score of 61. He averaged 36.09 runs per game at a strike rate of 131.02. His debut season also saw him smash two half-centuries.

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Tilak Varma enjoyed a similar season in last year’s campaign as he smashed 343 runs with an improved highest score of an unbeaten 84. He averaged around 42.88 runs while playing with a better strike rate of 164.11. His heroics helped MI reach the second qualifiers of the tournament in 2023, eventually losing their knockout game to Gujarat Titans.

This season, Tilak Varma will likely go for an even higher ceiling as prepares for their tournament opener against GT. The match will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium on March 24. With Hardik Pandya at their helm as the franchise’s new captain, Varma will be looking up to the changes in the cricketing philosophy and mentality that are going to come his way this season.