Tilak Varma Early Struggle: How free bike rides and free coaching from Salam Bayash made him a cricket star

Tilak Varma Early Struggle With Coach Salam Bayash

As Tilak Varma celebrated with his teammates, having just helped India clinch the Asia Cup 2025 trophy against arch-rivals Pakistan, the moment was more than just a sporting victory. It was the result of a journey fueled by the extraordinary sacrifice of not just his own, but that of a coach who saw a spark in a young boy and fanned it into a flame.

Long before he was a national hero, Tilak was a talented kid playing with a tennis ball on a dusty ground in Hyderabad. The dream of becoming a professional cricketer seemed distant for the son of an electrician, Namboori Nagaraju. Their financial situation made proper training a near-impossible luxury.

The turning point arrived in the form of coach Salam Bayash. Spotting Tilak's raw talent during a casual game, Bayash knew he had found someone special. He immediately called Tilak's father, but the reality of their financial constraints was a major hurdle.

Undeterred, the coach made an incredible offer. He promised to waive all fees and, most remarkably, take full responsibility for Tilak's transport. This began an awe-inspiring routine: for an entire year, Bayash would ride his bike 40 kilometers every single day, picking up Tilak at 5 AM from his home, travelling to the academy in Lingampalli and returning after practice.

His dedication didn't stop there. After a year, he convinced Tilak's family to move closer to the academy. When the family couldn't afford proper cricket gear, Bayash provided it but with a condition, Tilak had to meet specific targets to earn his equipment, instilling in him a profound understanding that rewards must be earned through performance.

Years later, as Tilak stood on the field winning the Asia Cup for the country, that same discipline was visible for the world to see. His success is a powerful testament to the fact that behind a great athlete, there is often an even greater mentor, a coach who was willing to ride 80km round-trip on his bike, day after day, to ensure a young boy's dream didn't end on a dusty field.