Dharamshala, Dec 13 – Ahead of India’s third T20I against South Africa, left‑hander Tilak Varma told reporters that a mentally tough batter can thrive anywhere in the lineup. He added that India’s willingness to shuffle players was on full display when Axar Patel was slotted in at number three during the 214‑run chase in New Chandigarh.
Axar never found his footing and was out for a 21 that came at a run‑a‑ball pace, a performance that helped seal a 51‑run defeat for India. While bigger names like Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav struggled for big scores, Tilak stepped up with a brisk 62 off just 34 balls.
“Everyone is flexible except openers. Everyone is flexible and open to bat anywhere. I am up for batting at 3, 4, 5, 6, or anywhere. Where the team prefers for me to bat, I am up for it. Everyone knows that they are flexible in every batting order. If you are mentally strong, you can do well in any number,” Tilak explained during the pre‑match press conference.
When asked why Axar was placed at the third spot over other recognised batsmen, Tilak said the decision depends on many factors. “It depends. As you can see, Axar Patel has already done the same thing in the World Cup, and he has done well in that position as well. It keeps happening in one odd game. It depends on the situation. In a tactical situation, if the team feels that it is the best in that situation, then anyone goes ahead, keeping in mind the team’s interests,” he replied.
“The ups and downs happen, but the same player has done that in the World Cup as well. I am ready to bat anywhere for the team, and I will always try to do my best for the team. The other players are doing the same, and as I said, everything is flexible, and we are making the decisions that we feel will benefit the team,” he added.
Tilak noted that the HPCA Stadium tends to deliver high‑scoring wickets. “I have played previously here in the Under‑19 series for India. After that, I am coming here now, and we are just going to watch the wicket. I think there will be a high‑scoring wicket here. We will play with a positive intent,” he said.
“The first two matches saw the team batting first come out on top. The cold weather brings a bit of seam and swing for the bowlers, so I think there isn’t much difference between batting first and second. Unfortunately, we collapsed in the last game, but we will play with the same intent,” Tilak observed.
He went on to highlight that they plan to handle the dew that usually arrives early in the game. “Whatever we have been doing in the last 15‑20 matches, we will play with the same intent and get good results. So, I would say, it won’t matter much if it’s the first or second batting because the match starts at 7 pm and that is the time when dew starts to form,” he concluded.
Tilak finished by confirming the team has taken steps to counter moisture in the ball. “There was a dew in ODIs as well, and we have mentally prepared for it in practice. We don’t have the toss result in our hands, but we are mentally preparing for the dew. We have practised before, and the ball does get a little wet. But we have prepared for whatever we can get in the game during the practice.”
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