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India’s middle-order Tilak Varma has backed skipper Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir’s batting approach for the Men in Blue ahead of the third T20I against South Africa in Dharamsala. Like Suryakumar, he reiterated that everyone is flexible to bat at any position other than the openers.
While citing the example of Axar Patel’s promotion in the 2024 T20 World Cup final, Varma said that he’s ready to bat anywhere as the team demands.
Speaking on the eve of the pre-match presser on Saturday (December 13), Tilak Varma said (via India Today):
“Absolutely, everyone is flexible except the openers. I’m ready to bat at No. 3, 4, 5, or 6, wherever the team wants me. Everyone knows the batting order is flexible.”
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“It depends on the situation. You’ve already seen this with Axar Patel in the World Cup—he went up the order and did well. One-off games happen. At that time, whatever feels best for the team, everyone keeps the team first. No one thinks about individual positions. I’ve said I’m ready to bat anywhere for the team, and all players are thinking the same way,” he added.
The statement came amid criticism from former players for using several places as musical chairs following India's 51-run loss against the Proteas in the second T20I in Mullanpur. In the game, Axar Patel was promoted to No. 3, while Shivam Dube was demoted to No. 8.
Varma, who came out to bat at No. 5, was the only batter who looked in control for the Men in Blue, scoring 62 off 34 balls with the help of five sixes and two fours. Notably, Axar managed a run-a-ball 21 in a 214-run chase. Meanwhile, Dube walked out to bat with 13 balls left in the game.
Tilak Varma’s performances based on batting positions in T20Is:
Following the T20I opener, Suryakumar Yadav had stressed that the batting unit will remain flexible from No. 3 to 6. He said (via Sports Tak):
“From 3–6, anywhere. I have told this to all the batters: other than the openers, everyone has to be flexible. Both are in the scheme of things. It’s always good to have both of them as part of the squad. One can open, one can bat lower down the order. Both can do all the roles. It’s an asset to our team and a good headache to have.”
“India is missing a trick” – Former India opener warns Suryakumar Yadav and company ahead of 2026 T20 World Cup
Former India batter Robin Uthappa has warned the Suryakumar Yadav-led side ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup following their failure to chase 200-plus in the second T20I against South Africa. The cricketer-turned-commentator said he strongly disagrees with the flexible batting approach under Gautam Gambhir’s coaching. The 40-year-old told JioStar post-match show (via ANI):
“You cannot build a skyscraper without a base. Asking players to prepare for multiple roles in the same game makes run-scoring more complicated, and that's where India is missing a trick. I disagree with being overly flexible so early in the innings beyond the openers.”
The five-match series is currently tied at 1-1. Suryakumar Yadav and Co. won the series opener by 101 runs in Cuttack.
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