T20 World Cup 2026: Tilak Varma opens up on his new batting role in the India playing XI
After a heavy defeat to South Africa, defending champions India returned to winning ways in the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. For the first time in this World Cup, against Zimbabwe, the Indian team appeared to have displayed their trademark athleticism. In the match, India scored 256/4 in 20 overs after being invited to bat first. Zimbabwe could only manage 184.
Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma, who faced considerable criticism from critics after their poor form in the group stage and the loss in the first Super 8 match, have found their form back in this match. Both batsmen returned to form against Zimbabwe. Abhishek Sharma scored 55 runs off 30 balls, including 4 fours and 4 sixes, while Tilak Varma, who was sent in at number 6, scored 44 runs off 16 balls, including 3 fours and 4 sixes.
Tilak wasn't performing up to his potential in this World Cup. His cricket scores were 25, 25, 25, 31, and 1. He faced criticism not only for his scores but also for his strike rate. Against Zimbabwe, he came on when India had lost their fourth wicket, Suryakumar Yadav, at 172 in 14.5 overs. Tilak hit a boundary off his very first ball. After that, he carried Team India's momentum forward, hitting boundaries only. He scored 44 runs in just 16 balls, including 3 fours and 4 sixes. He added 84 runs in 31 balls with Hardik Pandya, helping the team to its highest total ever in a T20 World Cup.
After the match, he appeared in the post-match press conference, where he stated that he had no problems with his new batting role. Tilak Varma said he has done this for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL and in some international matches for India. He said he is always ready for whatever the team requires of him.
"I always say I'm ready for whatever the team requires. So I've played this role for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL for the last four years, and I've also played a few games for the Indian team. So I'm ready for it. Whatever the team requires, I'm ready. And depending on the situation, I can adjust. But as I said earlier, I was just waiting for an inning. So I'm very grateful to God for that. The right time has come, and I'm ready for it. I'm now confident that I can win games for the team going forward," Tilak said in the post-match press conference.
The Indian team will now face the West Indies in their final Super 8 match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on March 1. The winner of the match will advance to the semi-finals. Both teams have lost their Super 8 matches against South Africa, while both secured victories over Zimbabwe.
