Tilak Varma’s Coach and Close Circle Converge in Colombo Ahead of India-Pakistan T20
Tilak Varma’s emergence on the international stage has been accompanied by a tight-knit support network that has followed him to Colombo. Longtime coach Salam Bayash will be in the stands at the Premadasa Stadium to watch his protégé in the high-profile India-Pakistan T20 match on Sunday, February 15, 2026 (ET), and eight close friends have also flown in to cheer the young batter in what has become a deeply personal milestone.
Bayash’s long road to Premadasa
For Salam Bayash, the match represents more than a single fixture; it is the culmination of a 25-year coaching odyssey. Bayash, who first began mentoring Tilak in school, describes the moment as the fulfillment of a long-held dream. He has been part of the player’s development from the earliest days at school-level cricket through their continued partnership at Legala Cricket Academy in Lingampally.
Bayash’s methods mix discipline with hands-on commitment. He recalls routine sacrifices—riding long distances daily to pick up and train Tilak—to ensure the young batter had steady access to coaching and practice. That perseverance, Bayash says, is rewarded now as Tilak steps onto the international turf for marquee matches. This will be Bayash’s first time watching an international match live in 25 years, making the appearance emotionally significant for coach and player alike.
Bayash praises Tilak’s temperament: a player who accepts responsibility, adapts quickly to challenges, and keeps a level head amid success. “His hunger to improve is what excites me the most, ” he noted, underscoring a belief that the batter’s best work is still to come. Bayash also acknowledged the contributions of M. D. Prithvi Reddy of Legala Cricket Academy, the infrastructure that supported training, and the backing of regional cricket bodies and clubs that helped shape Tilak’s pathway.
A personal entourage in Colombo
The atmosphere around Tilak in Colombo is distinctly intimate. Eight of his closest friends made the journey on a private jet to be at the stadium, a show of pride that turns an international assignment into a shared celebration. Their presence highlights how Tilak’s ascent is being witnessed not only by coaches and administrators but by the people who have been with him through formative years.
The mix of professional mentorship and personal support is a reminder that elite performance is rarely the product of individual effort alone. For Tilak, the convergence of a devoted coach, academy backers and a travelling circle of friends creates a support system that can steady any player facing the pressures of a high-stakes rivalry match.
What this stage means for Tilak Varma
At a young age, Tilak has shown a maturity that his coach believes differentiates him. The ability to listen, absorb advice and translate guidance into on-field action has been central to his development. Bayash’s presence in Colombo is intended as both encouragement and a real-time measure of how the training ethos translates under international scrutiny.
Whether the match ends in a personal milestone or a team triumph, the week in Colombo will be remembered for the convergence of key figures in Tilak’s journey. For now, the focus is on the immediate task at hand: performing on a global stage with a familiar support network in the stands. If the coach’s assessment holds true, this is an early chapter in a career that promises steady growth rather than fleeting success.
Bayash plans a brief meeting with Tilak either after the match or the following morning before his return to India, underscoring the pragmatic, understated bond between mentor and pupil that has helped propel Tilak to international cricket.
