Bought by way of Mumbai Indians for Rs 1.7 crore, the 20-year-old batsman is proving to be a fearless fit winner for his workforce.
An attacking left-handed batter, Varma smashed a 17-ball 37 in a an important stand with Australia’s Cameron Green in Mumbai’s win over Sunrisers Hyderabad on Tuesday.
The knock, laced with 4 sixes, got here at a strike-rate of over 217 and Rohit Sharma hinted that the teenager may just paintings his manner into the India workforce.
“What I like about his game is his approach, he is not afraid,” Rohit, the India and Mumbai skipper, mentioned after his workforce’s 3rd successive win within the IPL.
“He is not playing the bowler, he is playing the ball, which is quite important for someone of his age coming out and playing the way he is.
“He’s were given a protracted option to pass and we will see him play for some other groups.”
Varma, who also bowls off-spin, made his IPL debut only last year.
He is seventh in the list of top run-getters so far in the current IPL with 214 runs from five matches, just a spot below Indian superstar Virat Kohli (220 from five matches).
South Africa’s Faf du Plessis tops the batting charts with 259 runs.
Varma started this season with an unbeaten 84 off 46 balls in Mumbai’s opener, albeit in a losing cause, and hit winning knocks including a quickfire 41 against Delhi Capitals.
Former player and India coach Ravi Shastri told Star Sports that “I might be very stunned if he does no longer play T20 cricket for India within the subsequent six months or 8 months”.
“He has were given the adulthood, he has were given the flare. He will make an international of distinction to the Indian middle-order,” said Shastri.
Varma hasn’t always had it easy.
He began his cricketing journey in the south Indian city of Hyderabad, where his father worked as an electrician and did not have enough money to fund his son’s training.
Varma’s early career was looked after by a coach who gave the youngster equipment and lifts to play in a cricket academy, according to Indian media.
Varma has now played 19 times in the IPL and also turned out for India ‘A’, the second tier of the national cricket team.
Tom Moody, a former Australia batsman who coached Hyderabad in the IPL, called Varma “an absolute jet” for the way he tears into opposition attacks.
“I really like looking at him bat,” Moody said on ESPNcricinfo.
“It’s somewhat of a real understatement — however he is were given a large occupation forward of him, hasn’t he? Not just for Mumbai Indians, however for India.”
India batsman Suryakumar Yadav, who has taken T20 cricket by a storm, is among the many who have emerged as stars through the IPL and went on to play for the country.
(With company inputs)