“Everyone is flexible except the openers” - Tilak Varma reveals Team India’s strategy ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026

Indian middle-order batter Tilak Varma has revealed the team management’s decision to have everyone in the batting order flexible apart from the opening duo of Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.

Advertisment

Speaking in the pre-match press conference ahead of the third T20I against South Africa in Dharamsala, Tilak asserted that he is ready to bat anywhere in the top and middle order as per the game situation. 

“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,” Tilak Varma said in the pre-match press conference.

Furthermore, Tilak Varma also defended the head coach Gautam Gambhir’s decision to send Axar Patel at No.3 in the second T20I, which India lost by 51 runs in Mullanpur. He went on to state that Axar batted at No.5 and scored a 31-ball 47-run knock in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 final against South Africa.

“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.

India holds a 2-1 record in the shortest format of the game in Dharamsala, having played only three games at the venue. While they bagged two wins against Sri Lanka in 2022, they lost to South Africa in 2015.

India and South Africa will take on each other in the third T20I of the five-match series, scheduled to be played in Dharamsala on Sunday, December 14.

Advertisment

Stay updated with the latest cricket news, match insights, and exclusive updates at Sky247 India and download the Sky247 app to start betting today!