Vice-captain of India for T20Is Tilak Varma has hit back at criticism for his batting during the recent T20I tours of Ireland and England, saying he always batted according to the team’s needs rather than their own.The left-hander faced the spotlight after scoring 178 runs in seven T20Is across the two tours at a strike rate of 131.85. While he registered two centuries of 55 against Ireland in the second T20I and 53 against England in the fifth and final Test of the T20I he was raised about his approach between the overs.However, ahead of India’s T20I Series against Zimbabwe, Tilak said that he can attack from the first ball but he chooses his strategy according to the condition of the game and the needs of the team.
‘I can hit one ball, but I play according to the situation’
Explaining his philosophy of struggle, Tilak said that adaptation to different struggles and external conditions was required to take responsibility instead of chasing violent protests.“In this game, you have to hit in different places, especially in those conditions, it is not easy. At the same time, I have been saying that I am doing whatever the team wants. If I have to grind the team, I will do that. If I have to hit from one ball, I can do it,” Tilak told reporters at a press conference before the start of the game.The 23-year-old said that India’s top-order slump in the tour of Ireland and England will force the middle order to rebuild the innings instead of playing freely.“From Ireland to England, we were losing four or five wickets within the powerplay or within the first 10 overs in several games. Going in and trying to accelerate right away wouldn’t make sense. It’s always in my mind. I know I can bat first ball, but I am playing for this country, and that comes with responsibilities,” he added.
‘The team’s strategy comes before its numbers’
Tilak also pointed out that as India’s vice-captain, he is given special responsibilities by the team management and prefers to do what they want rather than focusing on individual stats.“Everything depends on what the team needs at that time. Sometimes I have to fight to the end, and sometimes the team’s plans change according to the progress of the game. As the vice-captain, the management gives me certain responsibilities when I prepare well, and I want to fulfill those responsibilities. This is why I play according to the team’s plans,” said Tilak.
Hit 131 in the UK Tour
Tilak Varma finished the 2026 tour of UK and Ireland with a T20I total of 131.85, scoring 178 off the 135 balls he faced. While his journey featured explosive weapons, such as a powerful strike of 212.00 (53 runs off 25 balls) in the final T20I at Southampton.
| Equality | Running (Balls) | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|
| vs Ireland – 1st T20I | 19 (21) | 90.48 |
| vs Ireland – 2nd T20I | 55 (46) | 119.57 |
| vs England – 1st T20I | 13 (13) | 100.00 |
| vs England – 2nd T20I | 24* (11) | 218.18 |
| vs England – 3rd T20I | 3 (11) | 27.27 |
| vs England – 4th T20I | 11 (8) | 137.50 |
| vs England – 5th T20I | 53 (25) | 212.00 |