NEW DELHI: Tilak Varma believes that his excellent start in international cricket has been greatly influenced by Rohit Sharma's consistent advice.
In the five-match T20 series in the Caribbean, Varma has been India's best batter, but the visitors trail 0-2.
"He (Rohit bhai) has been a support system and always told me to enjoy the game. He always guides me how to play," Varma said after scoring his maiden T20 fifty albeit in a losing cause in Guyana.
"My inspiration from childhood is (Suresh) Raina bhai and Rohit bhai. I spend most time with Rohit bhai. In first IPL he said 'Tilak is an all format player' and it boosted my confidence."
1/10:2nd T20I: West Indies beat India, take 2-0 lead
AP
2/10:Windies beat India
<p>Nicholas Pooran (67) eclipsed a maiden international half-century from Tilak Varma as West Indies edged their way to a dramatic two-wicket win over India in the second T20I in Guyana on Sunday. </p>AFP
3/10:Tailenders triumphant
<p>Tailenders Alzarri Joseph and Akeal Hosein slogged the winning runs to see the West Indies home with 7 balls to spare to take a 2-0 lead. </p>AP
4/10:Tilak Varma
<p>Tilak Varma made 51 from 41 balls before clipping left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein to fine leg where Obed McCoy pouched the catch. </p>AFP
5/10:Kyle Mayers
<p>Shubman Gill was caught at third man off Joseph and Suryakumar Yadav was run out by a direct hit from Kyle Mayers to leave India on 18/2. </p>AFP
6/10:Ishan Kishan
<p>Tilak Varma added 42 for the third wicket with Ishan Kishan before the opener was bowled by Romario Shepherd for 27. </p>AFP
7/10:Hardik Pandya
<p>After the dismissal of Tilak Varma, it was left to skipper Hardik Pandya with 24 from 18 balls to drag the Indians towards a half-decent target. </p>AFP
8/10:Woeful start
<p>West Indies made the worst possible start as Pandya removed Brandon King and Johnson Charles in the first four balls of their reply. </p>AP
9/10:Nicholas Pooran
<p>Nicholas Pooran, however, quickly found his range clubbing six fours and four sixes in his 40-ball 67. </p>AFP
10/10:Yuzvendra Chahal
<p>From 126-4, West Indies lost four wickets for just three runs, three of them in the 16th over delivered by Yuzvendra Chahal. </p>AFPVarma hit 51 off 41 balls to guide India to 152 for seven in second T20, a target which West Indies overwhelmed in 18.5 overs riding on Nicholas Pooran's 40-ball 67.
"The wicket was slow and double paced. So first we though 150-160 would be a good score but I think we were 10 runs short. Credit goes to Pooran, he batted really well. We knew if we get one wicket we can save the match because the wicket was not easy, it was on the slower side," Varma said about the match.
"They (West Indies) bowled really good, they used slower ones and bowled hard lengths. They used the wind conditions really well. Credit goes to them."
Varma dedicated his celebration after scoring his maiden fifty to Rohit's daughter Samaira with whom he shares a close bond.
"It was towards Sammy, Rohit bhai's daughter," he told reporters after the match.
"I am very close to Sammy. I had promised her that whenever I will score a century or a fifty, I will do a celebration for her," he added.
Talking about his nascent journey in international cricket, Varma said the key to longevity is consistency.
"International cricket is not easy. To sustain you have to be consistent. You have to be disciplined off the field, on the field. You have to be disciplined in your work ethic. If you do all these things on a routine basis, you will get good results," he said.
"The two IPL seasons I played was the turning point in my career. The performances there earned me India call and I am playing with that performance."
Varma also has high regard for India coach Rahul Dravid.
"I have been talking to Rahul sir since U-19 World Cup. Rahul sir always says that follow your basics and spend as much time in the middle. He always tells me to 'enjoy the game'."
The third T20I between the two sides will be played in Guyana on Tuesday.
(With PTI inputs)
