New Delhi, April 21 (NationPress) Tilak Varma underlined the significance of anchoring an innings following his debut IPL century that led the Mumbai Indians to a decisive 99-run triumph over the Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Entering this match after suffering four straight losses, MI required a standout performance, and Tilak answered the call with a remarkable unbeaten 101 off just 45 deliveries. His innings rescued the team from an early crisis and helped them post a daunting 199/5, a total that was well beyond GT’s capabilities.

In reflecting on his performance and the importance of the victory, Tilak highlighted both personal ambitions and team goals.

“This was crucial for both the team and myself. Over the last few matches, I kept thinking about how I hadn’t spent enough time in the middle or faced many deliveries, so my goal was to remain at the wicket and adjust according to the team’s needs. I’m thankful it panned out that way,” the batsman shared with JioStar.

Having stabilized the innings alongside Naman Dhir after MI faced early setbacks from Kagiso Rabada’s fiery bowling, Tilak accelerated in the latter part of the innings, ensuring MI set a total that exerted significant pressure on the hosts. He emphasized the importance of maintaining consistency as the tournament progresses.

“We shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves; we need to take it one match at a time. Each game feels like a knockout for us. We believe in our capabilities, with several World Cup champions on the team, experienced players, and the skills we possess. If we execute our plans well, we can be unstoppable. Therefore, it’s vital to keep our focus and continue working diligently,” he noted.

Tilak also recounted an enthusiastic mid-innings exchange with captain Hardik Pandya, whose sidelines energy helped inspire him.

“As everyone knows, Hardik bhai is incredibly energetic. He was really hyped and kept encouraging me, saying, ‘You can do it, you will do it.’ I had to ask him to calm down so I could maintain my concentration, and I assured him I would handle the rest,” he elaborated.

His strategic approach was particularly notable in the final overs, where he dismantled the GT bowling attack to add essential runs, transforming a competitive score into a winning one. Tilak also described how he adjusted to the conditions in Ahmedabad, where the black-soil pitch required a change in batting tactics.

“Whenever MI plays in Ahmedabad, we typically face a black-soil wicket, which tends to be slower. It’s not that our batsmen can’t adapt, but we know our strengths when the pitch offers more bounce. Given the slow nature, we needed to modify our approach and focus on hitting straight. There wasn’t much bounce, so playing across the line was risky. I decided to aim straighter, and fortunately, I managed to score some runs,” he explained.

While he has played various roles in the batting order, Tilak expressed a clear preference for his ideal position, while also reiterating his willingness to adapt for the team.

“Personally, I prefer batting at number three. However, I’m content to bat wherever the team requires, as I’ve trained since childhood to feel confident in any batting position. But if asked, I would always choose three,” the 23-year-old stated.

On the bowling front, MI showcased a dominant display, with Ashwani Kumar (4/24) leading the charge, supported well by Mitchell Santner and Allah Ghazanfar, as they restricted GT to a mere 100 runs in 15.5 overs. This comprehensive victory not only halted Mumbai's losing streak but also rekindled their campaign, with Tilak’s impressive innings serving as a timely reminder of the team’s batting prowess.