Tilak Verma has been a rare bright spot for Mumbai Indians in what has been a horrid season for them. The 19-year-old batter has been a fulcrum of their faltering middle-order, providing much-needed stability when the rest of the batting order has crumbled like a deck of cards. 

With 368 runs in 12 matches, Tilak has already surpassed Rishabh Pant’s record of scoring the most runs as a teenager in an IPL season. Tilak possesses a solid base upon which he can expand his game as per the demands of different formats.

So often he has arrived at the crease in the middle of a collapse. Earlier this season, he came to the crease in the 13th over, and slammed 61 off just 33 deliveries, including an audacious reverse-sweep against R Ashwin for a six.

Against Chennai Super Kings on Thursday, Tilak came to the crease when Mumbai Indians were teetering at 33/4. With Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan already back in the pavilion, Mumbai didn’t have any proven performers in the middle order. But Tilak once again stepped up to the occasion and steadied the innings with his 32-ball 34. It was an innings that ensured a comfortable win for Mumbai.

Mumbai Indians’ captain Rohit Sharma was mighty pleased with the innings. He said that Tilak Verma will soon go on to become an all-format player for India.

“He’s been brilliant playing for the first year. Having such a calm head is never easy and in my opinion, I feel he’s going to be an all-format player for India pretty soon. He’s got the technique, he’s got the temperament, which is the most important thing when you play at the highest level,” said Rohit. 

“So, I think a lot of things are looking bright for him and there is hunger. When you speak to him, there’s hunger to do well and finish games and have some success as well. I think he’s on the right path; he just needs to keep growing and see how he can improve and get better as a player,” he added.