‘I can hit the first ball, but…’
Tilak Varma was earmarked as India’s long-term No. 3 after the team’s T20 World Cup triumph in 2024, but over the last two years, his role has steadily evolved. Team combinations and match situations have often pushed him into the middle and lower order, forcing him to adapt from anchoring an innings to finishing one. The changing responsibilities have also been reflected in his strike rate, drawing criticism from some former cricketers and sections of the media whenever his scoring rate has fluctuated. Ahead of India’s T20I series against Zimbabwe, the vice-captain said he pays little attention to criticism, saying his batting approach changes according to the match situation and the role assigned by the team. “In this game, you have to bat in different places, and especially in such conditions, it’s not easy. At the same point, I always say that I do whatever is required for the team. If I have to stop and play for the team, then I stop and play. If I have to hit, then I hit and play,” …
