'One of the best I've seen': Jayawardene reserves high praise for Tilak for his maiden IPL ton
New Delhi, April 21
Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene lauded his side's all-round execution while also dubbing Tilak Varma's century 'one of the best' that he has ever seen after their emphatic 99-run victory over Gujarat Titans.
Reflecting on the innings that was built around a late surge, Jayawardene admitted the side had been under pressure early on. "We were in trouble, but we dug ourselves from that, (we were) patient, and batted really well to get that score," he said in a video shared by the franchise, pointing to the composure shown by the middle order after early setbacks.
The turnaround was powered by a stunning counterattack, particularly from Tilak Varma, whose maiden IPL century lifted MI to a formidable total. Jayawardene did not hold back in his praise for the young batter's knock. "We had a couple of big overs. Tilak, one of the best I've seen!" he remarked.
The MI coach also credited the contributions with the ball, especially the early breakthroughs that set the tone for defending the total. He singled out the effort of young pacer Krish Bhagat while acknowledging the impact of returning seamer Ashwani Kumar. "Krish (Krish Bhagat), brilliant effort up front. Ash (Ashwani Kumar), coming back to the team, well done," he noted, as MI's bowlers dismantled the GT batting line-up.
Jayawardene further emphasised the importance of fielding in sealing such a comprehensive win, particularly on a large outfield. "Probably the best fielding effort from the unit on a big ground," he said, crediting the team's intensity and discipline in the field.
Stressing consistency as the key going forward, the former Sri Lankan captain urged his players to maintain the same standards in upcoming matches. "The standard is something that you guys set as well... the way MI plays, that's a standard. So let's do that, we need to keep repeating that energy, we need to bring to each and every game," he concluded.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Great to see the coach praising the entire unit's effort, not just the centurion. Fielding on a big ground and the bowling upfront were crucial. A complete team performance.
Tilak Varma for India soon? He has the temperament. But let's not get carried away with one innings. The real test is consistency, just like Jayawardene said. Hope he keeps his head down and works hard.
Finally MI showing some fight! The season was looking bleak. This is the energy we expect from a five-time champion. Bowling was spot on. Need to carry this momentum to the next game. 💙
Respectfully, while the praise is deserved, calling it "one of the best I've ever seen" from a coach of Jayawardene's stature feels a bit over the top for an IPL league game. It was a brilliant hundred, but let's keep some perspective. The real best knocks are often in high-pressure playoffs or for the national team.
So happy for Krish Bhagat and Ashwani Kumar getting a mention! The unsung heroes. Sometimes the spotlight is only on the batters, but cricket is a team sport. Well done, boys! 👏
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