‘I can hit from ball one’: Tilak Varma hits back by criticizing strike ahead of Zimbabwe tour

Tilak Varma reacts to criticism (Image: ANI) India’s T20I vice-captain Tilak Varma has hit back at criticism regarding his strike rate during the recent T20I tours of Ireland and England, insisting that he always bats according to team requirements rather than personal milestones.The left-hander faced scrutiny after scoring 178 runs in seven T20Is across two tours at a strike rate of 131.85. While he scored two half-centuries of 55 against Ireland in the second T20I and 53 against England in the fifth and final T20I, questions were raised over his approach in the middle overs.However, ahead of India’s T20I series against Zimbabwe, Tilak made it clear that he is capable of attacking from the first ball but chooses his approach according to the match situation and the team’s needs.

“I can hit one off the ball, but I play according to the situation.

Explaining his batting philosophy, Tilak said that adapting to different batting positions and overseas conditions required him to take charge rather than chasing an aggressive strike rate.“In this game you have to bat in different positions and especially in such conditions it is not easy. At the same time, I have always said that I do what the team requires. If I have to grind it out for the team, I will do it. If I have to hit one off the ball, I can do it too,” Tilak told reporters at the pre-match press conference.The 23-year-old pointed out that India’s repeated top-order collapses on the Ireland and England tours had forced the middle order to rebuild the innings instead of playing freely.“From Ireland to England, we’ve lost four or five wickets in a couple of games in the over or in the first 10 overs. It doesn’t make sense to go in and try to accelerate immediately in a situation like that. That’s always in the back of my mind. I know I can hit the first ball but I’m playing for the country and that comes with responsibility,” he added.

“The team plan takes precedence over personal numbers”

Tilak further revealed that as India’s vice-captain, he is entrusted with specific responsibilities to lead the team and prefers to execute those plans rather than focus on individual stats.“It all depends on what the team needs at that moment. Sometimes I have to bat till the end and sometimes the team’s plans change according to the match situation. As the vice-captain, the management gives me certain responsibilities after careful planning and I want to fulfill those responsibilities. That’s why I play according to the team’s plans,” said Tilak.

Strokes 131 on the UK Tour

Tilak Varma finished the 2026 UK and Ireland tour with a T20I strike total of 131.85, scoring 178 runs off 135 balls faced. While his tour featured highly explosive cameos such as a blistering strike rate of 212.00 (53 runs off 25 balls) in the T20I final at Southampton.MatchRuns (balls)Strike Ratevs Ireland – 1st T20I19 (21)90.48vs Ireland – 2nd T20I55 (46)119.57 v England – 1st T20I13 (13)100.00 v England – 2nd T20I1218* (2nd T20I2184* (1132184) T20I3 (11) 27.27 vs England – 4th T20I11 (8) 137.50 vs England – 5th T20I53 (25) 212.00