Tilak Varma bolstered by Hampshire County stint

India’s left-handed batter Tilak Varma says his short spell with Hampshire in county cricket has left him with lifelong lessons. His time at the club concluded with a duck in Hampshire’s five-wicket defeat to Worcestershire in Group A of the One-Day Cup.

“Growing up, I dreamt of playing county cricket. This year, that dream came true with Hampshire. My first red-ball experience here, along with the ODI games, taught me lessons I will carry for life, not just as a cricketer but as a person. Thank you, Hampshire,” Varma wrote on Instagram on Thursday.

The 22-year-old joined Hampshire last month on a four-match County Championship deal, having already represented India 29 times in white-ball cricket. Across seven matches in all formats for Hampshire, he scored 412 runs, including two centuries and two fifties, with a highest score of 112. He also took one wicket in three List A appearances.

Hampshire praised Varma for contributing far more than they expected. “From his maiden red-ball century to those sublime innings in Hampshire colours, he’s shown exactly why he’s one of cricket’s brightest talents,” the club said. “Beyond the statistics, Tilak’s character and warmth have truly impressed everyone at the Utilita Bowl. He embraced Hampshire cricket with open arms. Thank you for the magic, Tilak. Once a Hampshire player, always part of the family.”

Varma will now return to India, where he is set to captain South Zone in the 2025/26 Duleep Trophy, starting August 28 in Bengaluru. The tournament marks the beginning of India’s domestic season. However, he may miss the event if selected for India’s squad for the Men’s T20 Asia Cup in the UAE, scheduled from September 9–28.