Young India batter Tilak Varma said he is open to batting at any position, depending on the needs of the team. His comments came after the southpaw walked in at number three and played a brilliant knock in the fifth T20I against South Africa.
Speaking after the match, Tilak made it clear that he can adapt according to the team’s requirements. “I have said this before as well, except for openers, we are flexible and can bat anywhere,” Tilak said while speaking to reporters. “That’s what I am preparing for. I have batted in a few games at numbers three, four and five. My only aim is to win the game for the team, so I just want to adapt to the situation. I am not thinking too much about the batting position. Of course, I love to bat at the top of the order, but if the team needs me to do something else, I will do that.”
The 23-year-old batter smashed 73 runs off 42 balls. His innings was laced with 10 boundaries and a maximum, at a strike rate of 173.80. With 187 runs to his name, Tilak emerged as the highest run-scorer of the series.
Tilak was also involved in a match-winning 105-run partnership with Hardik Pandya, who blasted a quickfire half-century. Praising Pandya, he said, “It was good to watch from the non-striker’s end. The way he was hitting every ball right off the middle of the bat was fantastic. The partnership and the way he batted were very crucial on this wicket. The intent he showed right from the first ball was splendid to watch.”
Pandya’s stunning 63 off 25 balls helped India post a massive total of 231/5. Varun Chakravarthy’s four-wicket haul and Jasprit Bumrah’s timely strikes helped India secure a 30-run win.
India won the five-match T20I series 3–1 against South Africa to remain unbeaten in the format this year.
Also read: “Everyone is flexible except the openers”: Tilak supports Gambhir’s idea
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