I play according to the situation, says Tilak Varma in response to slow strike-rate claims
Harare, July 21
The recent string of defeats in white-ball cricket has exposed a number of chinks in the Indian men's cricket team's armour, with the slow scoring rate of some of the players being a major cause for concern.
Middle-order batter Tilak Varma is one of those facing mounting criticism of his strike rate in the recent tours. However, ahead of the opening T20I of the three-match series against Zimbabwe on Wednesday, Varma rubbished the criticism and said he plays according to the situation. Instead of going hammer and tongs at the bowling from the first delivery, Varma says he adjusts his approach according to the team's needs.
The 23-year-old left-handed batter faced questions after his recent form across Ireland and England, where he managed to score runs but at a measured tempo compared to expectations of a specialist middle-order batter.
"In this format, you have to bat in different places, and especially in different conditions, it's not easy. At the same time, 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. So I go as per the conditions of the team. If you look at it, from Ireland to England, you always had four wickets in your power play, and five wickets were falling in six overs. "If I have to play for the team till the end, then our team planning keeps changing," said Varma in the pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
Reflecting on the lessons from India's last two T20I series defeats against Ireland and England, Tilak said the squad's focus is firmly on executing its plans and rediscovering winning momentum.
"Honestly, it has been a big learning since the last series. And we are just looking forward, and we just want to follow our basics and do well in the coming series. Obviously, if you see everyone has played enough domestic cricket and A-series just before this, so they are ready to play the series and it's just it's just a different, it's the same thing, but just a bigger stage.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I think the concern is valid though. In T20s, you need someone who can accelerate. Yes, situation matters, but he needs to find a way to score at a better rate even when wickets fall. Look at how Pandya does it - that's the benchmark.
Problem is our players get too defensive after powerplay collapses. Tilak is young but he has the technique - he just needs to trust his shots more. Those Ireland and England series should be learning, not excuses. India needs a finisher, not another accumulator.
As a Hyderabad fan who's watched him since his Ranji days, I'm telling you - this boy has the class. He's not defensive, he's calculated. Remember his 50-ball 100 in domestic cricket? Give him time, he'll figure out the right balance for international cricket. 🏏
Honestly, this is a classic Indian cricket problem - we overanalyse every young player. He's only 23! Let him play 20-30 matches and then judge. The same people who criticised Kohli early in his career now call him King. Patience is required.
I think his point about wickets falling is valid. But at the same time, if you're in the middle order in T20s, you need to have a plan B. What if wickets keep falling? You can't just keep consolidating. Somewhere you need to take calculated risks. Hope he improves on that.
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