Abhishek Sharma’s recent lack of runs has overshadowed Tilak Varma’s challenges during the T20 World Cup 2026. Tilak has struggled particularly against spin bowling, and India’s performance dips between overs seven and ten, which is when Tilak bats slowly.
Critics suggest that Tilak is not aggressive enough in his batting. He tends to focus on placing the ball between fielders rather than trying to hit powerful shots against spinners. This strategy aligns with the team’s game plan. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav mentioned that they aim for a controlled approach during crucial moments of the game.
The pitches at the T20 World Cup have proven challenging for players. India has only managed to score over 200 runs once. After their match against the USA, the team realized that the playing surfaces posed hidden challenges that required strategic thinking rather than just physical strength to secure victories.
On the day before the match, Surya stated, “We are prepared to adjust to any pitch. We have played on tricky surfaces and know what kind of batting we need to employ. We want to be aggressive, but we also need to play smart Cricket. We have enough talent to score 60-70 runs, and once we get a solid start, we’ll ramp up the aggression.”
Tilak has been specifically instructed by the team management to manage the batting situation carefully, especially after early wickets fall. He is expected to stabilize the innings as a response to these challenges.
Suryakumar acknowledged that while Tilak prefers playing freely, the team needs him to be a stabilizing force. This setup allows Pandya, Dube, and Singh to bat aggressively later on.
The captain added, “The management has advised Tilak to approach his batting with caution. If we lose a couple of wickets, he needs to play through some overs. I believe he’s not pleased with his current form; he’s putting in the effort during practice, but I’m not worried about him.”
Tilak Varma stats in T20 World Cup 2026:
