Tilak Varma has been under pressure as he has failed to make an impact in the 2026 T20 World Cup. The Southpaw’s strike rate and intent has been called into question. Despite the role of the anchorer, he played a rash stroke last Sunday, during India’s humiliating loss by 76 runs against South Africa.
Tilak who showed amazing temperament during the Asia Cup 2025, and won the final single handedly against Pakistan, has failed to keep up momentum. His place also has been in jeopardized as rumours are there for him being dropped from the side in India’s next match against Zimbabwe.
‘Tilak Varma has his own way of playing’- Mohammad Kaif
Ahead of the match former India batter Mohmmad Kaif has dropped his comments on Tilak Varma’s form and his approach towards the game, as there was questions over his slow game on social media and everywhere which got into his mind.
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Mohammad Kaif on his YouTube channel said, “Tilak Varma has his own way of playing. He can afford to play with a slow strike rate. However, he got out while playing a big shot. There was pressure building on him for the strike rate. As a player, you do keep track of what is being said.”
‘He should play Virat Kohli’s role’- Mohammad Kaif
Mohammad Kaif referred to the example of Virat Kohli, who has been India’s crisis man while chasing 160+ scores in T20 World Cups. Only three times India have done it successfully with each time Virat Kohli being the Player of the Match in the previous games.
Mohammad Kaif said, “But it is the job of the management to ask the player to stick to his role. He should play Virat Kohli’s role. He moved away from his gameplay by stepping out and going for a big shot. You’ll never be able to play if you listen to what others are saying.”
Kaif further added that to become a ‘chase master’ like Kohli, the players need to have a mindset of playing the full 20 overs of the game and not just play impactful innings. Virat Kohli, has an average over 67 while chasing a total in the T20 World Cups history.
India relies on Virat Kohli heavily
Mohammad Kaif concluded saying, “To become a chase master, you will have to first bat till the 20th over. Tilak Varma got out early, trying to hit. What is your role? Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Washington Sundar, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Rinku Singh play attacking cricket. There should be at least one player who takes the game deep.”
Virat Kohli, at No.3 over the years has been India’s reliable man during tough situations. He has now retired from the shortest format of the game and Test cricket as well, and plays only one format, the ODIs.
The Men in Blue will face Zimbabwe in a must win game on Thursday, 26th February, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. Suryakumar Yadav’s men will look to win on a big margin as their run rate has been on the negative side after their loss last weekend.
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