Tilalk Varma breaks silence on strike-rate criticism ahead of T20I series against Zimbabwe

India cricket team">India cricket team">India cricket team">India cricket team">India’s T20I vice-captain Tilak Varma recently responded to the criticism over his strike rate in T20Is. The left-hand batter has particularly struggled against spin in the shortest format of late and failed to make an impact in the recently concluded T20I series between India and England. 

Tilak’s strike rate was questioned by many in the series amid his failure to up the ante in the middle order. However, the Indian vice-captain has defended his poor strike rate by stating that he has to bat in different positions and his approach is dictated by the team’s requirement and not personal milestones.

Tilak amassed only 105 runs in the recently concluded five-match T20I series against England at a strike rate of 152.94. His strike rate has dipped from 180s in 2024 to 140s now in T20Is, highlighting his failure to impact games. His struggles against spin have further forced India to play him as a finisher, avoiding exposure to slower bowlers.

“In this game, you have to bat in different places, and especially in such conditions, it’s not easy. At the same point, I always say that I do whatever is required for the team. If I have to stop and play for the team, then I stop and play. If I have to hit, then I hit and play,” Tilak said in the pre-match press conference ahead of the first T20I of the three-match series against Zimbabwe on Tuesday.

“… I can go and hit the first ball. But at the same point, I’m playing for the country, so there are a lot of responsibilities. So what are the conditions of the team? If I have to play for the team till the end, then our team planning keeps changing,” he added, responding to the criticism over his fluctuating strike rate.

Tilak also cited India’s recent poor results on their tour of the UK as the reason behind his measured approach with the bat. India lost back-to-back T20I series against Ireland and England. The middle order was often left with the job to rebuild the innings after the visitors lost early wickets at the top.

“If you look at the last series, from Ireland to England, we lost four-five wickets in the powerplay. So going there and hitting and getting out doesn’t make sense,” said Tilak.

India look to bounce back in Zimbabwe T20I series

India will look to bounce back to winning ways when they take on Zimbabwe in the three-match T20I series, starting July 23. Pressure will be high on Iyer & Co. after they failed to win any of their five completed T20Is on their recently concluded tour of the UK.

Zimbabwe will start the series as the underdogs against the reigning T20 world champions, however, they will take confidence from India’s recent struggles in Ireland and England. All eyes will be on skipper Iyer, who is yet to win his first game as India’s T20I captain after replacing Suryakumar Yadav as the captain earlier this year.