Tilak Verma, India’s T20 vice-captain, expressed his enthusiasm for his leadership role within the team.
Speaking at a press conference in Auckland ahead of the fourth T20 match against New Zealand, he highlighted his collaborative approach with captain Shreyas Iyer.
After recent leadership changes post the 2026 T20 World Cup, Iyer took the captaincy, while Verma stepped in as vice-captain. He brings valuable experience, having led his state team, Hyderabad, across all formats and captained the ‘India A’ team as well.
Verma detailed how he shares insights with Iyer during matches. “I have captained in every format for my state team. For the past year, I have also been leading ‘India A’. This experience allows me to provide suggestions, which I always communicate to Shreyas on the field,” he said.
He acknowledged the pressures of T20 cricket, noting, “It’s a high-pressure game. Nowadays, there’s constant pressure because matches tend to be high-scoring. It can be tough for a captain to keep track of everything. That’s why I converse with Iyer and assist him wherever possible. He also seeks my input, and I am enjoying these small roles.”
Verma also shared his love for fielding. During the ongoing T20 series against New Zealand, he set a record for the most catches by a fielder in a calendar year, achieving 26 catches in 2026, surpassing the previous record of 25 set by Indonesia’s Danielson Havo last year.
“I have always been a good fielder since childhood. Practicing fielding has never felt burdensome to me. Playing abroad, I enjoy the challenge of the wind and the cold, which can make the ball wobble in the air. I never complain about being on the field for long periods. The more enjoyment you derive from the game, the better the results. Being athletic naturally helps. I love taking responsibility and sprinting to crucial fielding spots,” Verma added.
He emphasized that the team trusts his catching ability, often placing him in critical positions, which increases his chances of stopping runs and taking catches. “When you take spectacular catches, it brings joy to the audience and fans,” he concluded.