Tilak Varma reveals near fatal battle with rare muscle disorder before rise to stardom

Team India’s Asia Cup hero Tilak Varma has opened up about a previously undisclosed health crisis he faced in 2022, revealing that he was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis — a rare and potentially life-threatening condition caused by rapid muscle breakdown.

In a recent interaction, the Mumbai Indians batter recalled being rushed to the hospital from the field after his muscles stiffened so severely that his gloves had to be cut off mid-game.

Tilak shared that his relentless training and lack of proper recovery led to the illness.

“After my first IPL season, I wanted to be the fittest player and an outstanding fielder. Even on rest days, I was hitting the gym. I wasn’t giving my body enough time to recover — I was overstraining,” he said. “Eventually, my muscles broke down and my nerves hardened.”

During an A series in Bangladesh, the left-hander’s condition worsened.

“I was pushing for a century when my eyes started tearing up and my fingers stopped moving. Everything felt like stone. I had to retire hurt, and my gloves were cut off because my hands were frozen,” he recalled.

Tilak credited Mumbai Indians co-owner Akash Ambani and the BCCI for their swift support during the crisis.

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“Akash Ambani immediately called me, spoke to the BCCI, and thanks to Jay Shah sir, I was admitted to the hospital right away. Doctors told me that if I had delayed even a few hours, things could have turned catastrophic. The IV needle wouldn’t even go in; my muscles were that stiff. My mother was by my side through it all,” he said.

The young cricketer spent several months recovering before making his return in the 2023 IPL, where he announced his comeback with a blistering 84 not out off 46 balls against Royal Challengers Bengaluru — his highest IPL score.

Since then, Tilak has remained healthy and consistent, earning a spot in the Indian national team later in 2023. Having played four ODIs and 32 T20Is, he has cemented his place in India’s T20 setup. His match-winning knock against Pakistan in the Asia Cup final in Dubai last month further elevated him to national hero status.