‘I can hit from the first ball’: Tilak Varma hits back at strike rate criticism ahead of Zimbabwe tour | Cricket news

Tilak Varma responds to criticism (Image: ANI)

Indian T20I vice-captain Tilak Varma hit back at criticism over his strike rate during the recent T20I tours of Ireland and England, insisting that he always bats according to team demands rather than personal milestones.The left-hander faced scrutiny after scoring 178 runs in seven T20Is across 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 overs.However, ahead of India’s T20I series against Zimbabwe, Tilak has made it clear that he is capable of attacking from the first ball but chooses his approach based on the match situation and the needs of the team.

‘I can hit from the first 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 charge rather than aim for an aggressive strike rate.“In this game you have to bat in different positions, and especially in such conditions it is not easy. At the same time, I have always said that I do everything the team asks. If I have to grind for the team, I will do that. If I have to bat from ball one, I can do that too,” Tilak told reporters at the press conference before the match.The 23-year-old pointed out that India’s repeated top-order slumps in the tours of Ireland and England forced the middle order to rebuild the innings instead of playing.“From Ireland to England, we’ve lost four or five wickets inside the powerplay or inside the first 10 overs in a few games. Going in and trying to accelerate immediately in that situation makes no sense. “That’s always on my mind. I know I can hit the first ball, but I’m playing for the country, and that comes with responsibilities,” he added.

‘The team plan comes before personal numbers’

Tilak further revealed that as India’s vice-captain, he has been entrusted with certain responsibilities by the team management and prefers to execute those plans rather than focus on individual stats.“Everything depends on what the team needs at that moment. Sometimes I have to hit to the end, and sometimes the team’s plans change depending on the situation in the match. As vice-captain, the management gives me certain obligations after careful planning and I want to fulfill those obligations. That’s why I play according to the team’s plans,” said Tilak.

A stroke count of 131 on the UK Tour

Tilak Varma finished the 2026 tour of Great Britain and Ireland with an overall T20I strike rate of 131.85, scoring 178 runs off 135 balls. During his tour, he showed very explosive episodes, such as an incredible 212.00 strike rate (53 runs off 25 balls) in the final of the T20I in Southampton.