Indian middle-order batter Tilak Varma was seen in a new role after Sanju Samson‘s reentry into the Indian XI. However, it proved to be a blessing in disguise for the MI cricketer, as he almost had his groove back, ending a silent World Cup run until then.

Tilak Varma, the Mumbai Indians and Indian team cricketer, has made his way up to here after immense struggles throughout his life. His immense success is now praised by people all over the nation, but the hard work and the sacrifices behind it remain the pillars behind the framework of his career.

Who is Salam Bayash? – The man who shaped Indian star Tilak Varma’s cricket career

Eleven years back, a young boy of an electrician named Namboori Nagaraju dreamed of playing cricket professionally in a small village in Andhra Pradesh. Forty kilometres—Barkas to Lingampally—this would have ended the career even before it started for that young lad had it not been for his coach.

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The young lad with thousands of dreams back then is none other than World Cup winner Tilak Varma from India, and the coach proved to be the guardian angel in his life. Salam Bayesh had then sorted the transport, waived the fees, and his father didn’t have to drop him off or pick him up. He did much more than what a coach does for a young lad.

Bayash had seen something in the twelve-year-old boy from the beginning — not just talent but a quality harder to find. He shaped him through the early days as he drilled him for adapting to all playing conditions as well as positions.

I will play in all positions and show now- Tilak Varma

Tilak Varma had many ups and downs ahead of his World Cup debut for India. He was one of India’s best T20I batters, but an injury kept him out of the contest against New Zealand. It was then that his coach backed him again.

“Ups and downs are common,” he told Tilak. “Every cricketer tends to get injured, even the greatest. They are mentally strong and with you, too; this time shall pass.”

However, when the Indian batter was having a lean patch in the World Cup, it was his coach, Bayash, who reprimanded him for his poor shot selection. “You are not making runs because your shot selection is not right,” he said. “Focus on the errors you are making.”

The scoldings grew to encouragement when Tilak grew to be an international cricketer, but at times, students do need to face the original version of their teacher, and this was one of them. After the 16-ball 44* against Zimbabwe, Tilak’s first call was to his coach, as he said, “I will play in all positions and show now.”

Even before his first-ever World Cup final, Tilak sought his guru for some advice, and his simple advice saw Tilak contribute with the first and the last catch of the final, despite not having much of a chance to contribute with the bat.

“Whatever position you are given to bat, do that well. We are one step away from the dream. Even if you don’t get the batting, do your best fielding, beta,” he had said.

I could see his love and respect for me at the time- Salam Bayash

We often tend not to give our coaches and teachers what we owe them for the vital lessons in our lives. However, Tilak Varma did not forget what he owed to his childhood coach. When his coach was in the ICU with COVID, the young cricketer went to the hospital for all of the 15 days and stayed by his coach and his family during the tough times.

“I could see his love and respect for me at the time,” Bayash said. Nagaraju had wanted his son to study medicine. Tilak, twelve years old, had a different view. However, he claimed that if he studied medicine, he would be known across Hyderabad, and if he played sports, then he would be known worldwide. This inspired the father to let him do whatever it takes to become a cricketer.

Today, as an international great, he goes back to his coach at the Legala Academy and speaks with the youngsters there and advises them to learn to work hard from their coach.

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Gautam Gambhir, SuryaKumar Yadav offer prayers at Shree Siddhivinayak Temple

Members of the India national cricket team continued their celebrations of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup triumph by visiting the Shree Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai on Saturday, even as their previous temple visit had triggered a debate following remarks by former cricketer-turned-politician Kirti Azad.Head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav along side ICC Chairman Jay shah had earlier visited the temple with the trophy in Ahmedabad after the victory and, offering prayers despite the controversy surrounding the earlier visit.Kirti Azad questions temple visitThe debate began after Kirti Azad criticised the team’s decision to take the trophy to a temple, arguing that the World Cup victory belonged to all Indians regardless of religion.“140 crore people were excited when Team India, which includes people from all religions, won. A sportsperson or sports does not belong to any religion or caste but only to the sport,” Azad said. “Why not a mosque? Why not a church? Why not a gurudwara? The trophy belongs to 1.4 billion Indians of every faith, not one religion’s victory lap,” he added. Harbhajan Singh criticises Azad’s remarksFormer India spinner Harbhajan Singh strongly criticised Azad’s comments, accusing him of unnecessarily politicising the issue.“It’s absurd that someone is politicising the players taking the trophy to a temple. Kirti himself is a former cricketer, so I didn’t expect him to say such a thing. Perhaps he’s prioritising politics more and has forgotten he’s a sportsman,” Harbhajan said. “I was expecting more because when such a big task is undertaken, the reward should be even greater. But congratulations to the team for showing everyone how powerful India is,” he added.Gambhir also defends team’s celebrationGautam Gambhir also defended the team’s actions, saying the controversy was unnecessary and risked overshadowing the players’ achievements.“It is not even worth answering this question. It’s a huge moment for the entire country and we should celebrate the World Cup winners,” Gambhir said in a conversation with ANI.“If you want to dilute the achievements of those 15 players and their efforts, then tomorrow anyone can give any statement and we start taking it seriously. That isn’t fair to the boys.”“The boys have gone through so much pressure. If you give such statements today, you are degrading your own players and your own team.”Players brush aside controversyMeanwhile, India batter Ishan Kishan dismissed questions about the controversy, urging the media to focus on the team’s historic achievement instead.“Winning the World Cup is such a great thing. You people should ask good questions. What can I say about what Kirti Azad said? Please ask good questions so that it’s enjoyable,” Kishan said.

Iranian foreign minister said on Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to all countries except its “enemies”- United States and Israel- following US airstrikes on its Kharg Island oil hub.“As a matter of fact, the Strait of Hormuz is open,” FM Abbas Araghchi said.“It is only closed to the tankers and ships belong[ing] to our enemies, to those who are attacking us and their allies. Others are free to pass,” he told MS NOW, as cited by New York Post. “And I can say that the Strait is not closed, but it is only closed to American, Israeli, you know, ships and tankers, and not to others.”Abbas Araghchi added that many ships “prefer” not to undertake the journey due to “security concerns,” but insisted, “this has nothing to do with us.”In a separate post on X, Araghchi criticised the US’ regional security role, saying the “touted U.S. security umbrella has proven to be full of holes and inviting rather than deterring trouble.” He added, “US is now begging others, even China, to help it make Hormuz safe. Iran calls on brotherly neighbors to expel foreign aggressors, especially as their only concern is Israel.”US President Donald Trump called on nations to send warships to keep the Strait open. In a post on Truth Social, he said, “The countries of the World that receive Oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage, and we will help — A LOT! The U.S. will also coordinate with those Countries so that everything goes quickly, smoothly, and well.”He added, “Many Countries, especially those who are affected by Iran’s attempted closure of the Hormuz Strait, will be sending War Ships, in conjunction with the United States of America, to keep the Strait open and safe,” and expressed hope that China, France, Japan, South Korea, Britain, and others would send ships to the area.Earlier, Trump also warned that “In the meantime, the United States will be bombing the hell out of the shoreline, and continually shooting Iranian Boats and Ships out of the water,” and said the US is willing to escort ships through the Strait to protect them from Iranian attack.Despite the tensions, two Indian-flagged tankers carrying liquefied petroleum gas crossed the Strait, Reuters reported.

About a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes through the narrow strait between Iran and Oman. Tehran’s ability to block the channel could give it significant leverage over the US and its allies.