New Delhi

Indian cricket’s latest hero, Tilak Varma, whose unbeaten 69 against Pakistan clinched the Asia Cup for India in Dubai, owes his career to his coach and mentor Mohammad Salam Bayash, who spotted and supported him all through his training to his rise as a star.

The 14-year relationship began when Tilak joined a summer camp of Salam Bayash in Hyderabad. He played on a dusty ground with a tennis ball when Salam spotted him. He told his father, Namboori Nagaraju, an electrician by profession, that his son was immensely talented and that he must join a cricket academy.

Nagaraju told him that he realizes his son is extraordinary, but given his financial condition, he can’t even afford to buy him a proper kit, let alone join a cricket coaching academy.

Tilak Varma and Mohammad Salam Bayash in different years of their assocaition

Bayash took a young Tilak under his wings. Not only did he waive all his coaching fees, but he also took responsibility for the transport. Bayash would ride his bike 40 kilometers every day to pick up Tilak at 5 am to travel to the academy in Lingampalli.

Within a year, and with Bayash’s guidance, his family shifted closer to Lingampalli. A hard taskmaster, Bayash told Tilak that he would reward him with a cricket kit only after he performed. Tilak did not disappoint him and won his first cricket kit.

Bayash told the media in an earlier interview, “Tilak Verma came to me in 2011 when he joined a summer camp. He is very hard working; has a lot of patience, follows instructions meticulously, and has a good mind,” Bayash told the media in an older interview.

When Tilak arrived from Dubai to a rousing reception in Hyderabad, he was always seen with his coach and mentor, 'Salam sahib'.

Tilak Varma hoisting the tricolour with his coach in Hyderabad.🇮🇳🔥

The future Star @TilakV9 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/gB1BYsFw7f

— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) September 30, 2025

Tilak played the Ranji trophy at the age of 16 when he was in the Hyderabad team.

Recalling Tilak Verma's early days, Bayash says, "I first gave him basic training, and after the third month, he entered a local match. He immediately stood out with his temperament and technique. He would practice for hours and happily skip family functions to come to net sessions. His discipline was amazing. He never missed a net session. We, the guru and the disciple, would travel around the city on motorcycles for matches. Even today, he meets all the boys and the staff with great love and gentleness. Success did not make him complacent.

"Tilak called me before the match. I only told him to stay at the crease till the end. I am happy that he did that, and today he has emerged as a hero. I am not surprised at his temperament because even at a young age, he used to bat for hours during net practice."

He says that after the victory against Pakistan, he made a video call from Dubai International Stadium, the venue of the Asia Cup. He spoke to everyone in my family. His father, Nagaraju, and mother, Gayatri, are on a religious journey to Nepal. Earlier, people used to call him 'Baish ka bolaga', today I am happy that people know me as 'Tilak ka coach'.

#WATCH | Hyderabad, Telangana: On India's victory in the Asia Cup, Indian cricketer Tilak Verma’s childhood coach, Salam Bayash, says, "The match went very well; it was not easy... I spoke to Tilak before the match and told him to finish the match well, and the result is in front… pic.twitter.com/HkyPALaia1

— ANI (@ANI) September 30, 2025

A major fillip to his career came in 2022 IPL auction when the Mumbai Indians bought him for a whopping 1.7 crore.

Born as Namboori Thakur Tilak Varma on November 8, 2002, in Hyderabad, Telangana, Tilak grew up in a modest Telugu household.

Despite financial struggles, the family rallied behind Tilak's passion for cricket. His parents often went out of their way to support his budding career, even when resources were scarce. Tilak never forgets to credit his coach and parents for his success.

Tilak’s international debut came in 2023 against New Zealand when he top-scored for India on debut and later registered his half-century, becoming the second Indian to reach the milestone in T20Is. By the end of the series, he was India’s top scorer.

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However, his most memorable innings came at Dubai, where he turned around the finals of the Asia Cup for India by scoring an unbeaten 69 amid a crisis situation for India.