‘This young hero will become superhero for MI’: Irfan Pathan

Five-time champion Mumbai Indians (MI) is out of the race for IPL 2022 playoffs. It has been a forgettable season for the Rohit Sharma-led side but there are some positives including an Indian youngster who has impressed one and all.

The teenager who has grabbed his opportunity in his maiden IPL season is Tilak Varma. According to former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan, 19-year-old Varma will serve MI for the next 10 years.

Also read: How CSK can reach IPL playoffs

Speaking on Cricket Live on Star Sports, Pathan said, “Whenever a youngster does well, he starts believing that he belongs here and once he gets the confidence, he looks to cement his position in the team.”

“We are seeing the same with Tilak Varma. He’s a talented left-hand middle-order batsman, who is worth gold in cricket. Every team looks to have a left-hander because he plays spin at ease, they have that natural ability to handle those angles from leg-spinners and left-arm spinners. This young hero will become a superhero for MI if he continues to play like this. He’ll play for the franchise for the next 10 years,” he added.

After 55 matches in IPL 2022 on May 8, Varma is in at the 10th spot in the Orange Cap standings. He has scored 328 runs off 240 balls in 10 innings with two fifties.

Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh also praised Varma and another youngster, the South African batsman Dewald Brevis.

Harbhajan said on Cricket Live, “Dewald Brevis and Tilak Varma are like investments for the Mumbai Indians. MI has invested correctly in these young talents and will reap the benefits for many years. Brevis and Tilak have shown glimpses of their talents and they are going to don the MI jersey for the next ten years. We have witnessed some unbelievable talents in this competition and the confidence which these youngsters are showing is simply outstanding.”