Did India batter Tilak Varma seek divine blessings at the Tirumala Tirupati temple?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Indian batter Tilak Varma visits the Tirumala temple seeking blessings ahead of the T20 World Cup. His history of performing well after temple visits adds excitement to India's campaign. With recent achievements and preparations for upcoming matches against New Zealand, Varma's pilgrimage may symbolize hope and success for the team.
Key Takeaways
- Tilak Varma seeks blessings at Tirumala temple.
- Accompanied by V. Chamundeswaranath.
- Strong performance ahead of T20 World Cup.
- First Indian to score 1000 T20I runs before 25.
- Next series against New Zealand starts January 21.
Tirupati, Dec 30 (NationPress) Indian cricketer Tilak Varma paid a visit to the Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple on Tuesday to seek the divine blessings of the Lord. He was joined by V. Chamundeswaranath, a member of the BCCI Apex Council and a former first-class cricketer.
During their visit, they offered prayers and had a darshan of Lord Venkateswara on the auspicious occasion of Vaikunta Ekadasi, passing through the sacred Vaikunta Dwaram. The officials of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams made special arrangements to ensure their visit to the holy shrine went smoothly.
As India prepares to defend its title at the T20 World Cup, Tilak's pilgrimage to Tirupati might serve as a lucky omen in what is anticipated to be a fiercely contested tournament. Notably, the left-handed batsman had previously visited the shrine in August, prior to the ACC Asia Cup, where his pivotal 69-run innings helped India secure a victory against arch-rivals Pakistan in the final.
Tilak's latest performance for India was in the recently concluded T20I series against South Africa, where he played a key role in leading the Men in Blue to a 3-1 series victory over the Proteas.
In the series opener against South Africa earlier this month, Tilak made headlines by becoming the first Indian batter to achieve 1000 runs in T20Is before the age of 25. He scored 26, 62, 26, and 73 in the five-match series.
The 23-year-old will next take the field in the T20I series against New Zealand, which begins on January 21. These matches will act as a preparatory series for both teams ahead of the T20 World Cup set to commence on February 7.
India enters the tournament as the reigning champions, having triumphed in the 2024 T20 World Cup in Barbados by defeating South Africa in the final.
India's squad for the T20 World Cup and New Zealand T20 series includes: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Tilak Verma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dubey, Axar Patel (vice-captain), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper).
Point of View
It’s imperative to recognize the significance of cultural practices intertwined with sports in India. Tilak Varma's visit to the Tirumala temple reflects the deep-rooted beliefs that athletes hold, often seeking blessings for success. While the cricketing world eyes the upcoming T20 World Cup, such spiritual endeavors highlight the emotional aspects that accompany sportsmanship. It's a reminder that beyond the statistics and scores, there exists a human element that resonates with fans across the nation.
NationPress
30/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Tilak Varma visit the Tirumala temple?
Tilak Varma visited the Tirumala temple to seek blessings from Lord Venkateswara ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Who accompanied Tilak Varma during his temple visit?
He was accompanied by V. Chamundeswaranath, a BCCI Apex Council member and former cricketer.
What recent achievement did Tilak Varma accomplish in T20Is?
Tilak Varma became the first Indian batter to score 1000 runs in T20Is before the age of 25.
When does the T20I series against New Zealand start?
The T20I series against New Zealand begins on January 21.
What is India's track record in T20 World Cups?
India enters the tournament as the defending champions, having won the 2024 T20 World Cup.
