‘I can hit from ball one’: Tilak Varma hits back at strike-rate criticism ahead of Zimbabwe tour | Cricket News
India’s T20I vice-captain Tilak Varma hit back at criticism surrounding his strike rate in the recent T20I tours of Ireland and England, insisting he always bats according to team requirements rather than personal milestones.The left-hander faced scrutiny after scoring 178 runs in seven T20Is in two tours at a strike rate of 131.85. While he registered two half-centuries of 55 against Ireland in the second T20I and 53 against England in the fifth and final T20I questions were raised about his approach in the middle.However, ahead of India’s T20I series against Zimbabwe, Tilak made it clear that he can attack from the first ball but he chooses his approach based on the match situation and the needs of the team.
‘I can be hit from a ball, but I play according to the situation’
Explaining his batting philosophy, Tilak said that adapting to different batting positions and overseas conditions required him to take responsibility instead of chasing an aggressive strike rate.“In this game, you have to bat in different positions, and especially in the conditions, it’s not easy. At the same time, I always say that I will do whatever the team needs. If I have to grind it out for the team, I will do that.The 23-year-old pointed out that India’s repeated top-order collapses in the tours of Ireland and England forced the middle order to rebuild the innings instead of playing freely.“From Ireland to England, we have lost four or five wickets inside the powerplay or inside the first 10 overs in many matches. To go in and try to speed up that situation right away would not make sense. That’s always on my mind. I know I will hit the first ball, but I am playing for the country, and that comes with responsibilities,” he added.
‘Team plan comes before personal numbers’
Tilak further revealed that as India’s vice-captain, he was entrusted with specific team management responsibilities and preferred to execute plans rather than focus on individual statistics.“Everything depends on what the team needs at that moment. Sometimes I have to bat till the end, and sometimes the team’s plans change according to the match situation. As vice-captain, the management gives me certain responsibilities after careful planning, and I want to fulfill those responsibilities. That’s why I play according to the team’s plans,” said Tilak.
A strike rate of 131 on the UK Tour
Tilak Varma finished the 2026 UK and Ireland tour with an overall T20I strike rate of 131.85, scoring 178 runs off 135 balls faced. While his tour featured highly explosive cameos, such as a blistering 212.00 strike rate (53 runs off 25 balls) in the final T20I at Southampton.
| two | Running (Ball) | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|
| vs. Ireland – 1st T20I | 19 (21) | 90.48 |
| vs. Ireland – 2nd T20I | 55 (46) | 119.57 |
| against England – 1st T20I | 13 (13) | 100.00 |
| against England – 2nd T20I | 24* (11) | 218.18 |
| vs England – 3rd T20I | 3 (11) | 27.27 |
| against England – 4th T20I | 11 (8) | 137.50 |
| against England – 5th T20I | 53 (25) | 212.00 |
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