No. 5? No problem: Tilak Varma explains his changing role in India’s T20I team

Tilak Varma has had to rethink his approach as he moves down the Indian batting order, with the left-hander now looking for scoring opportunities from the very first ball while batting at No. 5 or No. 6. However, India’s vice-captain insists the change is not about blindly attacking but knowing when to take risks and when to keep the innings moving.

Ahead of the fourth T20I against New Zealand, Tilak explained how his role in the lower order differs from batting at No.3, where he has more time to settle.

“I’ve already had a power play; I’ve scored at number three as well. Now, batting at number five or six, I think about going to the very first-ball boundary only if it’s there to bat,” Tilak said.

“Otherwise, I focus on deepening the game. I take a little more time. At first I focus on singles and doubles, looking for gaps for fours or two runs,” he added.

This approach was evident in India’s second T20I in Christchurch. Tilak came in at No.6 with India struggling at 70/5 chasing 181 and remained unbeaten on 51 off 26 balls. Along with Nitish Kumar Reddy, who scored 26 off 13, he helped India win by four wickets with an unbeaten 69 for the seventh wicket. It was India’s highest seventh-wicket partnership in men’s T20Is.

NO EXCUSES FOR INDIA VALID PROGRAM

India arrived in New Zealand after the home T20I series against the West Indies, leaving little time to adjust to the different conditions. Tilak said a demanding schedule cannot become an excuse, especially for a side that is expected to set the standards for younger players.

“We cannot make excuses at this level. We are at the highest level and we have to set the standard for the youngsters who look up to us,” he said.

He also pointed to head coach Gautam Gambhir’s message that the side’s T20I performances could help set the tone for India’s wider tour across formats.

“Mr Gautam has made it clear in the team meetings that this is a long tour and the standard we have set as a T20 side will give impetus to the ODI and Test squads,” he added.

TILAK EYES CLEAN SWEEP AGAINST NEW ZEALAND

India had already clinched the five-match series, winning the first two matches by four wickets before being bowled out for 199 in just 13.2 overs in Wellington to take a 3-0 lead. Tilak scored 58 runs in the first three matches, with his unbeaten half-century in Christchurch his most notable contribution so far.

“We think this is a great opportunity to get a clean sweep. The next goal is to win the upcoming match and give the Indian crowd a great chance to witness a 5-0 series win,” he said.

The fourth T20I will be played at Eden Park, Auckland on Friday, October 30, with the match scheduled to start at 12:30 PM IST. India will be looking to extend their winning streak while Tilak will be looking to build on his winning streak and continue his role in the middle order.

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