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Tilak Varma Seeks Blessings at Tirupati Ahead of T20 World Cup Defense

Indian cricketer Tilak Varma visited the Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple to seek divine blessings ahead of the T20 World Cup. This visit follows a successful T20I series against South Africa where he made history by becoming the first Indian to score 1000 T20I runs before turning 25. Varma will next feature in a preparatory T20I series against New Zealand starting January 21. India enters the upcoming World Cup as defending champions, with the tournament scheduled to begin on February 7.

Key Points: Tilak Varma Visits Tirupati Temple Before T20 World Cup

  • Temple visit for blessings
  • Record of 1000 T20I runs before 25
  • Key Asia Cup performance
  • Upcoming NZ series prep
  • Defending T20 World Cup champions
2 min read

India batter Tilak Varma seeks divine blessings at Tirumala Tirupati temple

India batter Tilak Varma visited the Tirumala temple for blessings ahead of the T20 World Cup. Read about his form and India's squad.

"He was accompanied by BCCI Apex Council member and former first-class cricketer V. Chamundeswaranath. - Official Report"

Tirupati, Dec 30

India batter Tilak Varma on Tuesday visited the Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple to seek the Lord's blessings. He was accompanied by BCCI Apex Council member and former first-class cricketer V. Chamundeswaranath.

They offered prayers and had darshan of Lord Venkateswara on Vaikunta Ekadasi, passing through the sacred Vaikunta Dwaram. Officials of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams made arrangements for their darshan and facilitated their visit to the hill shrine.

As India look to defend the T20 World Cup crown, Tilak's visit to Tirupati may prove a lucky charm in what promises to be an intense and closely fought tournament. The left-hander also visited the divine shrine in August this year, before the start of the ACC Asia Cup, where his crucial 69-run innings guided India to beat arch-rivals Pakistan in the final.

Tilak's most recent outing for India was in the recently concluded T20I series against South Africa, where he led the Men in Blue to a 3-1 victory over the Proteas.

In the T20I series opener against South Africa earlier this month, Tilak made history by becoming the first Indian batter to score 1000 runs in T20Is before turning 25. He scored 26, 62, 26, and 73 across the five.

The 23-year-old batter will next be in action in the T20I series against New Zealand, starting on January 21. The games will serve as a preparatory series for both sides before they head into the T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin on February 7.

India will enter the tournament as defending champions, having won the 2024 T20 World Cup in Barbados by defeating South Africa in the final.

India's squad for the T20 World Cup and New Zealand T20 series: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Tilak Verma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dubey, Axar Patel (vice-captain), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper).

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Faith and cricket go hand in hand for many Indian players. Remember Dhoni's visits to temples? Hope Lord Venkateswara's blessings translate into some big sixes from Tilak's bat against New Zealand!
D
David E
As someone following cricket from abroad, I find this cultural aspect fascinating. The pressure on these young athletes must be immense, and if this visit gives him mental peace and focus, more power to him. His stats are already impressive for his age.
A
Aditya G
While I respect his faith, I hope the focus remains on his incredible talent and hard work. He's a future star because of his technique and temperament, not just luck. Let's not reduce his 1000-run achievement to just divine intervention.
S
Shreya B
Om Namo Venkatesaya! 🕉️ What a perfect way to prepare for a world cup defense. The mental clarity from such pilgrimages is unmatched. All the best to the entire team. Bring the cup home again!
K
Karthik V
His knock against Pakistan after the last visit says it all! Sometimes you need that extra bit of confidence, and for many Indians, it comes from faith. Solid player, hope he gets a fixed spot in the middle order.

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