Chennai, September 9, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India batter Tilak Varma has set his sights on playing Test cricket for the national team, saying red-ball cricket remains his favourite format despite having played extensively in white-ball cricket in recent seasons.
Tilak has been in impressive form for South Zone in the ongoing Duleep Trophy, scoring unbeaten 116 and 51 in earlier matches before making 99 in the final against East Zone at Chepauk on Wednesday.
“Playing red-ball cricket for India is my biggest goal because I love red-ball cricket. I thought as a kid that I would be playing Test cricket first and only after that white-ball cricket,” Tilak told reporters after the fourth day’s play.
The left-hander said he began his professional career in red-ball cricket and spent several years playing the format before his focus shifted towards white-ball cricket.
“I have played a lot of white-ball cricket over the past few seasons, but red ball remains my favourite format — it’s my A game,” he said.
Tilak narrowly missed a century in the Duleep Trophy final after being caught and bowled for 99 off 211 balls. South Zone were dismissed for 336 in reply to East Zone’s imposing first-innings total of 708.
Despite the disappointment, Tilak said the team’s result mattered more than his individual milestone. He explained that South Zone had adopted a session-by-session approach in an attempt to save the game, but the loss of wickets eventually tilted the contest in East Zone’s favour.
Currently leading South Zone after previously captaining India A, Tilak said his leadership assignments had accelerated his development. He highlighted the importance of understanding teammates beyond their performances on the field, particularly when identifying players capable of handling pressure.
Tilak is now set for a quick switch back to white-ball cricket, with India scheduled to begin a three-match T20I series against Afghanistan on September 13. He said the transition would require a change in mindset but believed two days of practice would be sufficient to prepare for the international series.
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