After Sanju Samson’s re-entry into the Indian XI, Indian middle-order batsman Tilak Verma was seen in a new role. However, it turned out to be a boon for the MI cricketer as he was almost back to his rhythm, ending a quiet World Cup performance by then.
Mumbai Indians and Indian team cricketer Tilak Verma has come here after a lot of struggles throughout his life. His immense success is now admired by people across the country, but the hard work and sacrifices behind it remain the pillars behind his career profile.
Who is Salaam Bayash? – The man who shaped the cricket career of Indian star Tilak Verma
Eleven years ago, an electrician’s son named Namboori Nagaraju from a small village in Andhra Pradesh dreamed of playing cricket professionally. Forty kilometres—Barkas to Lingampalli—that would have ended the young boy’s career before it had even begun, had it not been for his coach.
The young boy with a thousand dreams at that time was none other than India’s World Cup winner Tilak Verma, and the coach proved to be the guardian angel in his life. Salam Bayesh had then arranged for transportation, waived the fees, and her father did not need to drop her off or pick her up. He did more than what a coach does for a young boy.
From the very beginning, Byash had seen something in the twelve-year-old boy – not just talent but a quality that was hard to find. In the early days he shaped him and trained him to adapt to all playing conditions and situations.
Giving credit for the World Cup victory to his childhood coach, Tilak Verma said, “I will play all positions now and show.”
Tilak Verma had to face many ups and downs before making his World Cup debut for India. He was one of India’s best T20I batsmen, but he was ruled out of the clash against New Zealand due to injury. Then his coach supported him again.
“Ups and downs are common,” he told Tilak. “Every cricketer gets injured, even the greatest. They are mentally strong and so are you; this will pass.”
However, when the Indian batsman was performing poorly in the World Cup, it was his coach Byash who reprimanded him for his poor shot selection. “You are not scoring runs because your shot selection is not right,” he said. “Pay attention to the mistakes you are making.”
The scoldings turned to encouragement when Tilak became an international cricketer, but sometimes, students need to face the original version of their teacher, and this was one of them. After his innings of 44* off 16 balls against Zimbabwe, Tilak’s first call was to his coach as he said, “I will play all positions now and show.”
Even before his first World Cup final, Tilak sought some advice from his mentor, and his simple advice led to Tilak taking the first and last catches of the final, despite not getting much chance to contribute with the bat.
He had said, “Whatever position you are given to bat, do it well. We are one step away from the dream. Even if you don’t get to bat, field your best, son.”
I could see his love and respect for me at that time – Salaam Bayash
We often don’t give our coaches and teachers what we owe them for the important lessons in our lives. However, Tilak Verma did not forget what he owed to his childhood coach. When his coach was in the ICU with COVID, the young cricketer went to the hospital for full 15 days and stayed with his coach and his family during the difficult times.
“I could see his love and respect for me at that time,” Bayash said. Nagaraju wanted his son to study medicine. Twelve year old Tilak had a different perspective. However, he claimed that if he studied medicine, he would be known throughout Hyderabad, and if he played sports, he would be known throughout the world. This inspired his father to let him do whatever it takes to become a cricketer.
Today, as an international great player, he goes back to his coach at the Liga Academy and talks to the youngsters there and advises them to learn to work hard from their coach.
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