Namboori Thakur Tilak Varma was born on 8 November 2002 in Hyderabad, Telangana, into a Telugu family. His father, Namboori Nagaraju, worked as an electrician, while his mother, Gayatri Devi, took care of their home. He has an elder brother, Tarun Varma.
Although resources were limited, he displayed promise early on. At age 11, coach Salim Bayash spotted him playing tennis-ball cricket and brought him to the Legala Cricket Academy, over 40 km away, until his family later moved closer to support his dream.
He completed schooling at Crescent Model English School and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Public School, followed by junior college at Lepakshi, and later pursued BBA at Andhra University. These early experiences shaped his resilience and determination.
At 1.82 m, Tilak Varma combines athletic build with elegant play. He bats left‑handed, uses quick feet, and occasionally bowls right‑arm off‑spin. He’s known for his calm mindset, saying little but letting his bat do the talking. He loves family time, often credits his roots in Hyderabad for keeping him grounded, and is described by teammates as respectful and composed.
Off the field, Tilak Varma enjoys a quiet and balanced lifestyle. He has a deep interest in music and often unwinds by listening to his favorite Telugu tracks or mellow Hindi melodies. Watching movies—especially South Indian action dramas and cricket documentaries—is another one of his go-to pastimes. He’s also fond of exploring new cuisines and occasionally tries his hand at cooking traditional dishes. Fitness remains a core part of his routine, and he frequently engages in yoga and gym workouts to stay in top shape. Despite his rising fame, Tilak values humility, discipline, and staying close to his family and childhood friends.
Tilak keeps his personal life largely private. He values the sacrifice of his parents—traveling long distances to support his talent—and often dedicates his on-field success to them. His elder brother, Tarun, has also been a supportive presence. While he doesn’t share much publicly, it’s clear family plays a central role in his life.
Tilak’s domestic rise has been both steady and impactful:
| Season | Domestic Team | Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| 2018–21 | Hyderabad | Debut, rapid breakthroughs |
| 2021–22 | Hyderabad | #1 scorer in FC and List A |
| 2024 | India A (Duleep) | 111* after injury, strong red-ball return |
| 2025 | Hampshire (England) | Short-term stint in County Championship |
Tilak Varma has quickly transitioned to the international scene:
T20I debut – 3 Aug 2023 vs West Indies; top‑scored with 39 off 22 balls.
6 Aug 2023 – Scored his first T20I fifty, becoming second‑youngest T20I fifty‑maker for India after Rohit Sharma.
He finished that series as India’s highest T20I scorer.
ODI debut – 15 Sep 2023 vs Bangladesh during Asia Cup; scored 52.
13 Nov 2024 – T20I maiden century: 107* vs South Africa; youngest to century against top-10.
15 Nov 2024 – Followed with unbeaten 120 in next T20I; second Indian with back‑to‑back T20I hundreds
| Format | Matches | Runs | Avg | 100s/50s | Top Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 4 | 68 | 22.66 | 0/1 | 52 |
| T20I | 25 | 749 | 49.93 | 2/3 | 120* |
Tilak shone in the IPL:
Feb 2022 – Bought by Mumbai Indians at Rs 1.7 Cr.
April 2022 – Starred with 61 off 33 vs Rajasthan Royals.
2023 – Scored 84* off 46 vs RCB and 43 off 14 in playoffs.
2025 Auction – Retained for Rs 8 Cr.
2025 Season – Played 16 matches, scored 343 runs (avg 31.18, SR 138), including 2 fifties.
Though young, Tilak has achieved significant milestones:
IPL 2022 – Mumbai Indians’ standout youngster for impact top-middle performances.
Back‑to‑back T20I centuries vs South Africa (Nov 2024): historic feat.
Duleep Trophy 2024 – Awarded player of the match for unbeaten 111.
IPL 2025 – Re-signed at Rs 8 Cr; coach’s support after retired-out incident.
