Tilak Varma is an Indian batting all-rounder from Hyderabad. Born on 8 November 2002, he bats left-handed and bowls right-arm offbreak. On 15 October 2026, he is 23 years old, represents India and Hyderabad, and remains with Mumbai Indians after becoming one of the franchise’s established middle-order batters.
Tilak Varma at a glance
- Full name
- Namboori Thakur Tilak Varma
- Date of birth
- 8 November 2002
- Age on 15 October 2026
- 23
- Birthplace
- Hyderabad, Telangana, India
- Role
- Batting all-rounder
- Batting style
- Left-hand bat
- Bowling style
- Right-arm offbreak
- IPL team in 2026
- Mumbai Indians
- Domestic team
- Hyderabad
- International team
- India
Profile checked 15 October 2026. Team and record details are dated in the article.
Early cricket and domestic pathway
Varma came through Hyderabad’s age-group and senior cricket system. His first-class debut was for Hyderabad against Andhra from 30 December 2018 to 2 January 2019. His senior T20 debut followed against Services on 28 February 2019, and his List A debut came against Saurashtra on 28 September 2019.
His progress also earned an India Under-19 place at the 2020 World Cup in South Africa. He played in India’s run to the final and scored 86 runs in three innings. In the 2021–22 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he was Hyderabad’s second-highest run-scorer with 215 runs in seven innings, a performance that helped bring him to IPL scouts’ attention.
India career and major milestones
Varma made his T20I debut against West Indies at Tarouba on 3 August 2023. His first two scoring shots in international cricket were sixes, an early sign of his willingness to use his range against spin and pace.
His ODI debut came against Bangladesh in Colombo on 15 September 2023. A pair of hand injuries in 2024 interrupted his progress, but he returned to become an important limited-overs option for India.
A major T20 milestone arrived on 23 November 2024, when Varma became the first cricketer to score three successive T20 hundreds. He also produced a defining Asia Cup performance on 28 September 2025: his unbeaten 69 against Pakistan in the final earned him Player of the Match as India won the title.
By 2026, his India role had continued to grow. He led India A to a tri-series victory in Sri Lanka on 21 June, finishing as the team’s leading run-scorer with 275 runs in five matches.
IPL journey with Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians bought Varma for ₹1.70 crore at the 2022 mega auction. He made his MI debut against Delhi Capitals at Brabourne on 27 March 2022 and played all 14 matches in that season. His first IPL half-century came on 2 April 2022 against Rajasthan Royals, when he made 61 from 33 balls.
He quickly became a regular at Nos. 4 and 5, a position that asks him to rebuild an innings after early wickets or accelerate a chase. He scored more than 340 runs in each season from 2022 through 2024. Mumbai Indians retained him for ₹8 crore for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, making MI his franchise throughout the period covered here.
On 20 April 2026, Varma made his maiden IPL century: an unbeaten 101 from 45 balls against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad. He also scored a 33-ball unbeaten 75 against Punjab Kings on 14 May 2026. Together, those innings show why he has remained a central part of MI’s middle order.
Career timeline
- 8 November 2002: Born in Hyderabad, Telangana.
- 30 December 2018–2 January 2019: Made his first-class debut for Hyderabad against Andhra.
- 28 February 2019: Made his senior T20 debut for Hyderabad against Services.
- 28 September 2019: Made his List A debut against Saurashtra.
- February 2020: Represented India at the Under-19 World Cup in South Africa.
- 27 March 2022: Made his Mumbai Indians debut against Delhi Capitals.
- 3 August 2023: Made his T20I debut for India against West Indies at Tarouba.
- 15 September 2023: Made his ODI debut against Bangladesh in Colombo.
- 23 November 2024: Became the first cricketer to score three successive T20 hundreds.
- 28 September 2025: Won Player of the Match for his unbeaten 69 in the Asia Cup final against Pakistan.
- 20 April 2026: Scored his maiden IPL hundred, 101 not out from 45 balls against Gujarat Titans.
- 21 June 2026: Led India A to a Sri Lanka tri-series victory and topped its run charts with 275 runs.
- 2 August 2026: Was appointed captain of South Zone for the 2026 Duleep Trophy.
Playing style
Varma’s main value is his left-handed middle-order batting. He can play spin with intent, attack from the start when a chase demands it, and still spend time at the crease when his side needs a rebuild. His 61 from 33 balls in his first IPL half-century and 101 not out from 45 balls in 2026 illustrate that range.
He is listed as a batting all-rounder because he also bowls right-arm offbreak. Bowling is a supporting skill rather than the centre of his selection, but it gives India and Mumbai Indians another tactical option when match-ups or conditions make off-spin useful. His development from Hyderabad age-group cricket to a regular MI and India role has been built primarily on batting consistency and calm decision-making in the middle overs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Tilak Varma on 15 October 2026?
Tilak Varma is 23 years old on 15 October 2026. He was born on 8 November 2002, so his 24th birthday has not yet arrived on the reference date.
What is Tilak Varma‘s correct spelling?
His surname is spelled Varma. “Tilak Verma” is a common search variant, but Varma is the spelling used here.
What is Tilak Varma‘s role?
He is a batting all-rounder. He bats left-handed and bowls right-arm offbreak.
When did Tilak Varma make his India debut?
His T20I debut was against West Indies at Tarouba on 3 August 2023. He made his ODI debut against Bangladesh in Colombo on 15 September 2023.
Which IPL team does Tilak Varma play for in 2026?
He plays for Mumbai Indians. MI bought him at the 2022 mega auction and retained him for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
What is Tilak Varma‘s biggest IPL milestone?
His first IPL century came on 20 April 2026, when he scored an unbeaten 101 from 45 balls against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad.
