Tilak Varma Prefers No. 3 Role, Ready to Adapt His Game to India’s Needs

Tilak Varma Ready to Adapt for India, Says Team Needs Come Before No. 3 Preference

Tilak Varma has consistently expressed his fondness for batting at No. 3, a position where he has delivered some of his most memorable performances for India. His two centuries during the T20I series in South Africa in 2024 highlighted his ability to excel in the role. However, as India prepare to face the West Indies in the fourth T20I in Hyderabad on Wednesday, the 23-year-old is focused on adapting to the team’s requirements rather than insisting on his preferred batting position.

As India’s vice-captain, Tilak understands the importance of flexibility in a batting line-up that has found its rhythm at the top. He has increasingly occupied the middle-order position, often batting at No. 5, where his responsibility is to manage the middle overs and provide a strong finish. With the top order performing well, the opportunities for middle-order batters have sometimes been limited, but Tilak remains committed to making the most of every situation.

Tilak Embraces Different Batting Roles

Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Tilak reiterated his preference for No. 3 while making it clear that team priorities would determine his approach.

“I love batting at No. 3, and I have said that many times. But I’m someone who always wants that pressure when the team needs me. I want to step up and take that role,” he said.

Tilak explained that his approach would depend on how the innings unfolds. If India lose wickets early, he is prepared to take time at the crease, rebuild the innings and ensure the team does not collapse. Conversely, if the top order provides a strong foundation, he is ready to attack immediately and maintain the scoring momentum.

“If we lose quick wickets, then I can slightly take my time and take the game deep. I can do that role,” he said.

“But if the openers or the top three batters bat until the 14th or 15th over, then I know how to change gears and get going from the first ball. I have been practising for that, especially with the mindset.”

Mental Preparation Key to Success

Tilak’s ability to adjust his game has already been evident in important matches. During the Asian Games final against Pakistan, he scored an unbeaten 51 off 34 deliveries, helping India recover alongside Shivam Dube. The innings demonstrated his composure under pressure and his ability to adapt when the team needs a dependable contribution.

According to Tilak, preparing mentally for different match situations is just as important as developing the technical skills required to execute them.

“It’s really important to be ready for both situations. When the team is under pressure, you should take the game deep, and when the team gets going from the first ball, you should go for it,” he said.

“For that, I’m really ready. By God’s grace, it’s going well, and I have worked really hard.”

His T20I statistics highlight his effectiveness at both positions. At No. 3, Tilak has accumulated 443 runs in 13 innings at an average of 55.37 and a strike rate of 169.73, including two centuries. His middle-order record is equally encouraging, with 1,140 runs in 43 innings at an average of 45.6 and a strike rate of 144.85.

These numbers underline his value as a versatile batter capable of providing stability or accelerating the scoring rate, depending on the circumstances.

Tilak also praised the form of India’s opening batters, stressing that he has no intention of disrupting a combination that is working well.

“Right now, I’m enjoying this moment. When someone like Ishan and the other openers are batting, it’s really a treat to watch. I don’t want to disturb any role. Whatever the team needs, I want to do that,” he said.

Hyderabad Homecoming Adds to the Occasion

The fourth T20I will be a special occasion for Tilak, who grew up in Hyderabad and will have the opportunity to play in front of his home crowd while serving as India’s vice-captain.

India enter the contest with a 2-1 lead in the five-match series and will aim to secure the series by winning Wednesday’s match. The West Indies, meanwhile, will be determined to level the series and take the contest into a decisive fifth game.

Conditions at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium could also influence the teams’ strategies. The pitch has been relaid using fresh soil, raising questions about how it will behave compared with the venue’s usual playing conditions.

Tilak acknowledged that assessing the surface early would be crucial in determining the appropriate batting approach, particularly in the fast-paced T20 format.

“You cannot go all out from the first ball without assessing the conditions. In one-day cricket, you can take five or six balls to understand the wicket, but in T20 cricket, you have only one or two balls before you need to get going,” he said.

“Haven’t seen the track yet, but will see how the conditions behave initially and go accordingly. It is a fresh soil track, so let’s see how it goes.”

As India prepare for the Hyderabad encounter, Tilak’s message is straightforward. Although batting at No. 3 remains his preferred role, he is ready to take responsibility wherever required, whether that means anchoring the innings after early wickets or launching an aggressive assault when the team has established a strong platform.