THIRST FOR SUCCESS DRIVES TILAK

If he gets a chance, he will not let it go, says coach Salam on his ward’s chance of ODI debut in the Asia Cup

- FIROZ MIRZA

AS has been the custom ever since he started playing age-group cricket (U-14), Tilak Varma called his childhood coach Salam Bayash back home in Hyderabad from Dublin on August 20. Salam did not take it. The southpaw, even before calling, knew his coach wouldn't attend it. He had got out playing a rash shot; trying to pull Barry McCarthy's short ball only to top edge it to the deep square leg fielder George Dockrell. It meant Tilak had to depart for 1 leaving India two down for 34 in 4.1 overs. The dismissal hurt more as the 20-year-old Hyderabad batter got out for a naught in the previous match.

A remorseful Tilak texted his coach saying, "Thoda jaldi kar diya maine, wicket par stay karna tha, sorry next match accha karuga sir (I rushed into the shot, I should have stayed at the crease for some time. Sorry sir, I will do better in the next match)." The message melted the heart of the coach.

"No matter where he is, he will always call me twice a day. Once before the practice session and once after it. On match days, he will call me before the match and after it. He also knows that I will not attend the calls if he doesn't perform. The same happened that day when he got out playing a pull against Ireland in the second match," the coach told this daily.