In an interesting turn of events, it's unclear whether the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board took a leaf out of its Indian counterpart's book, but the home players won't have their WAGs (wives or Girl-friends), at least for the first Test match against the visiting Australians starting Wednesday. "No, no wives or family members are with the home players in Galle," an SLC source confirmed from Colombo on Sunday evening.
Adding a twist, both teams are staying in separate hotels due to insufficient room availability at the hotel where the home team is stationed. The source explained, "Both teams had training on Sunday. On Monday, our team will have another training session in the afternoon. The four-day camp, an initiative by our head coach Sanath Jayasuriya, ended on Saturday. Unfortunately, two days were wasted due to heavy rain. Our players, with the help of about ten net bowlers, played matches throughout the day in this camp. It was the idea of our coach to create a match atmosphere in the camp."
The original squad of 18 announced by the SLC has been reduced to 17, as injured Pathum Nissanka hasn't traveled with the team for the first Test. He may join before the second Test subject to his fitness. Interestingly, the selectors haven’t appointed a Vice-Captain to the Dhananjaya de Silva-led team.
As both teams gear up for an exciting series, it remains to be seen how the absence of family support will impact the players' performance on the field. With intense training and strategic preparations in place, Sri Lanka hopes to make a strong start against the formidable Australian side.
Tilak Varma Shines on Field as Parents Seek Blessings at Kumbh Mela
In a thrilling match that went down to the wire, Tilak Varma emerged as a pivotal player in Team India's victory against England on Saturday. His poise, determination, and skill on the field were instrumental in turning the tide in India's favor, leaving cricket enthusiasts in awe.
As Tilak was shining on the cricket field, his parents, Namboori Nagaraju and Gayatri Devi, were experiencing a spiritual journey at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. The father, speaking exclusively, shared, "I am here in Kumbh Mela with my wife. We both took 'Shahi Snan' on Saturday and were fortunate enough to see Tilak playing a splendid match also the same day and had a hand in India’s win." Adding further, he said, "We watched the match on a big screen here in our Varanasi hotel. We could also speak to Tilak after the match. Obviously, he was very happy and we were too."
Tilak Varma's journey to cricket stardom started with humble beginnings. Born on 8 November 2002 into a Telugu family in Hyderabad, his father, Namboori Nagaraju, worked as an electrician, while his mother, Gayatri Devi, managed the household. He also has an elder brother, Tarun Varma, who, with his friends, enjoyed the match.
A lifelong interest in cricket began early for Tilak, when he was spotted playing tennis ball cricket by coach Salim Bayash at the age of 11. Recognizing Tilak's raw talent, Bayash trained him at the Legala Cricket Academy in Lingampally. Despite the considerable distance, Bayash would ferry Tilak to and from the academy on his scooter, covering more than 40 kilometers each way, until Tilak's family relocated closer to the academy.
Tilak Varma pursued his early education at Crescent Model English School and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s Public School in Hyderabad. He completed his secondary education at Lepakshi Junior College in Hyderabad.
In the intense match against England, Tilak's performance was nothing short of spectacular. Tilak Varma in T20Is since his last dismissal - 318 runs in 174 balls at 182.75 SR with 24 fours and 22 sixes. His match-winning knock of 72 (N.O.) had 4 fours and five sixes. His calm demeanor, strategic play, and unyielding focus helped secure a crucial victory for Team India. This win not only showcased Tilak's burgeoning talent but also highlighted his potential to become a future star in Indian cricket.
Tilak's parents are scheduled to return to Hyderabad on Monday. However, they have no plans to visit any match venues of the current series. Tilak Varma's journey from a young boy with a passion for cricket to becoming a key player in an international match is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and the unwavering support of his family and coach. As Tilak continues to grow and make his mark in the cricketing world, fans eagerly await many more incredible performances from him.
