'Having played for India, I have a slightly bigger responsibility' - Tilak Varma on IPL 2024 goals

In a much-anticipated showdown, the Mumbai Indians are gearing up to take on the Gujarat Titans in their opening match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on March 24. With the cricketing world abuzz with anticipation, Mumbai Indians' batter Tilak Varma is embracing the weight of responsibility that comes with representing India on the international stage.

Expressing his eagerness ahead of the clash, Varma, who was uncapped until the previous edition of the IPL, spoke how he feels a sense of increased responsibility this year as he has played at the international level. 

"I am looking forward to it (the match). Last year was a good season, but now, as a senior player and having played for India, I have a slightly bigger responsibility to play mature innings. As I have said previously, I always want to finish games, and I have good knowledge and experience of it when playing for India, so I am looking forward to using it now," he said as quoted by MI's official website.

Last season saw Varma's impressive performance, where he amassed 343 runs in 11 matches at an average of 42.87. With a keen eye on continuing his form, Varma is poised to make a substantial impact in the upcoming matches.

Meanwhile, the return of star pacer Jasprit Bumrah, after missing the previous season due to injury, adds further depth to the Mumbai Indians' lineup. When questioned about Mumbai Indians' pursuit of a record-breaking sixth title, Varma's response was resolute: "Always!" 

Bumrah is calm under pressure, which helps the team and the youngsters: Tilak Varma

Speaking on Bumrah's return, Varma emphasized Bumrah's return, praising his invaluable experience and leadership qualities, especially in T20 cricket. Bumrah's calm demeanor under pressure boosted confidence among both young players and the team as a whole.

Also read: IPL 2024: 5 records Jasprit Bumrah can break this season

"You see, he (Bumrah) is the world's number one bowler and a very experienced bowler. Especially if you look at T20 cricket, he has got a lot of experience. Not only in T20 cricket but in every format, he is the biggest bowler for India and in world cricket, giving confidence to youngsters and the team. He is also calm under pressure, which helps the team and the youngsters like me or the bowlers and batters; you can just tell he's experienced at everything, so it helps a lot," said Tilak.