Tilak Varma loves batting at No.3 but is ready to anchor or attack for India

Tilak Varma has made no secret of his preference for batting at No. 3. Some of his best performances in Indian colors have come in that position, including two centuries during the T20I series in South Africa in 2024. But as India prepare for the fourth T20I against the West Indies in his hometown of Hyderabad, the southpaw’s focus is always on something bigger than his preferred mode of batting.

The added responsibility of being India’s vice-captain brought another dimension to Tilak’s role. At 23, he is part of a team with an established top-order, which means he must be ready to adapt to different situations rather than expect to bat in his preferred position. His attitude ahead of Wednesday’s game reflects a willingness to put the needs of the team first.

The left-hander has settled into a middle-order role, often coming in around No.5 to move in the middle overs and help India finish strongly. With the top order in good form, opportunities for the middle order were limited at times. However, Tilak is comfortable with the responsibility and believes he has the game to adapt his approach to the match situation.

READY TO CUSTOMIZE

“I love batting at No. 3 and I’ve said that many times. But I’m someone who always wants that pressure when the team needs me. I want to step up and take that role,” Tilak said at the pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

His role, he explained, is not just to come in and score quickly. It’s about recognizing what the matchup calls for and adjusting accordingly.

“If we lose quick wickets, then I can take a bit of time and take the game deep. I can handle that role,” he said.

“But if the openers or the top three batsmen are batting until the 14th or 15th over, then I know how to change gears and go from the first ball. I’ve trained for that, especially with the mindset.”

THINKING MATTER

Tilak’s willingness to take on various responsibilities has already yielded encouraging results. on He played an unbeaten 51 off 34 balls against Pakistan in the Asian Games finalhelping India fight alongside Shivam Dube. It was an example of the poise and flexibility the team will want from him throughout the series.

The key, according to Tilak, is to mentally prepare for both scenarios, rather than committing to one approach before going to bat.

“It’s really important to be prepared for both situations. When the team is under pressure you should go deep into the game and when the team gets off the first ball you should go for it,” he said.

“I’m really ready for this. It’s going well by the grace of God and I’ve been working really hard.”

The numbers underscore why Tilak’s preference for No. 3 is understandable. In this position, he has scored 443 runs in 13 T20I innings at an average of 55.37 at a strike rate of 169.73, with two centuries to his credit. However, his record in the middle order is also impressive, with 1,140 runs in 43 innings at an average of 45.6 and a strike rate of 144.85.

With India building a solid batting order, Tilak’s numbers suggest he can be effective in both roles. However, he focuses on ensuring that personal preferences do not override the team’s plans.

“Right now I’m enjoying the moment. When someone like Ishan and the other openers are batting, it’s really a joy to watch. I don’t want to disrupt any role. Whatever the team needs, I want to do it,” he said.

BACK HOME IN HYDERABAD

Wednesday’s match will also be a homecoming for Tilak, who grew up in Hyderabad and will play in front of the home crowd as vice-captain. India lead the five-match series 2-1 and can secure an unassailable advantage with a win, while West Indies will be eager to level the match.

Surface could add another variable. The pitch at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium has been replaced with fresh ground, so the question remains how it will fare against the familiar pitch conditions. Tilak said India will have to evaluate the track before deciding on its batting approach.

“You can’t go all out from the first ball without assessing the conditions. In one-day cricket you can take five or six balls to understand the wicket, but in T20 cricket you only have one or two balls before you have to start,” he said.

“I haven’t seen the track yet, but I’ll see how the conditions are initially and develop accordingly. It’s a fresh track, so we’ll see how it goes.”

The challenge for Tilak is to combine this reading of conditions with the flexibility he has been working on while batting. He may still prefer No.3, but as vice-captain his message ahead of the Hyderabad contest is clear: he is ready to anchor the innings when India need stability, or attack from the start when the platform has been set.

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