India’s T20I vice-captain Tilak Varma has expressed his readiness to adapt to the team’s needs ahead of the fourth T20I against the West Indies in Hyderabad on Wednesday.
While Varma prefers batting at No 3, he emphasised the importance of fulfilling the role assigned by the team, currently focusing on the middle order.
“I love batting at No. 3 – I have said that many times,” Varma said, speaking on the eve of the match. “At No. 3, you have the chance to bat in the powerplay when only two fielders are outside the 30-yard circle. So you can go and swing freely. So every batter enjoys that role, especially in T20s.”
He added, “But whatever the team needs, I want to step into that role. Right now, my role is to handle that middle phase, from No. 5, 6, 7. If we lose quick wickets, then I can take some time and take the game deep. If our top three bat till the 14th or 15th over, then I also know how to get going from the first ball.”
Varma noted that he has practiced with the mindset to be prepared for both roles, stating, “I have worked really hard and by God’s grace, it’s going well. So right now, I’m enjoying this.”
Earlier in his career, Varma requested the former T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav to allow him to bat at No. 3 during India’s tour of South Africa two years ago, a move that resulted in back-to-back centuries. However, his role has since evolved to provide stability in the middle order while being ready to accelerate when necessary.
Explaining the mental adjustments required for batting lower in the order, Varma said, “At No. 4 or 5, as I said earlier, sometimes wickets fall early. Sometimes only two-three overs are left, and you have to start hitting straightaway. So you have to be mentally strong. You have to have confidence in yourself first. If you don’t have confidence in yourself, the team won’t have either.”
He continued, “My coach has taught me since childhood that no matter what position you bat at, nothing is like winning the match for your team. So I always try to do that. And after that, I look at the conditions, which bowler I can go after, and which shots I can play on that wicket.”
Varma was involved in a costly run-out during India’s third T20I against the West Indies in Indore while attempting to rebuild the innings after four wickets fell in three overs. A misjudgement of the ball reaching the boundary led to confusion between him and Axar Patel, resulting in the run-out.
He recalled, “I felt that the hoarding beyond the boundary line had flashed. So I thought the ball hit the hoarding and came back inside. Axar also felt the same.” He added, “Unfortunately, I was going towards the non-striker’s end, so I could not see the throw coming in. Our teammates were shouting from the outside but think it happens. The next time I will keep running until the umpire signals four.”
Varma scored 28 runs off 16 balls, including four boundaries, in that third T20I. The upcoming match at his home ground, the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, may be influenced by recent relaying of the square, potentially affecting pitch behaviour.
India currently lead the five-match series 2-1 and will aim to secure an unassailable advantage with a win in Hyderabad. The West Indies will seek to level the series before the fifth and final T20I in Bengaluru on Saturday.