India batter Tilak Varma has opened up about his growing leadership responsibilities after being appointed vice-captain of the national T20I side, revealing that head coach Gautam Gambhir sees his leadership opportunities as preparation for bigger roles in the future. The appointment is being viewed as part of a broader succession plan within India's white-ball setup.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has named three different vice-captains in T20 Internationals over the past eight months. Shubman Gill was initially handed the role ahead of a major ICC tournament before the leadership group shifted direction. Axar Patel subsequently took over as deputy to captain Suryakumar Yadav, and now Tilak Varma has been entrusted with the position for India's upcoming T20I assignments against Ireland, England and at the Asian Games.

Speaking to reporters in Dambulla ahead of the India A one-day tri-series in Sri Lanka, where he is captaining the side, Tilak said he never imagined leading India at any level and described the opportunity as a significant learning experience. The left-handed batter said he views the role as an added responsibility rather than a source of pressure and is eager to develop his leadership skills.

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Tilak revealed that conversations with Gambhir have focused on preparing him for future responsibilities. According to the youngster, the India head coach wants him to make the most of every leadership opportunity with India A and use those experiences to build the qualities required at the highest level. The remarks suggest that the team management regards Tilak as a potential long-term leader within the national setup.

The 22-year-old said being named vice-captain has given him a sense of greater maturity and responsibility within the squad. He noted that seeing the designation alongside his name serves as a reminder that he is moving into a more senior role in Indian cricket and must contribute both on and off the field.

Tilak's rise has been one of the notable developments in India's white-ball structure in recent years. Having established himself as a reliable performer in T20 cricket, he is now being groomed for leadership responsibilities as the team management looks to build a strong core of future leaders capable of guiding India across formats in the years ahead.

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