Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes Tilak Varma could fit into the role that star batter Virat Kohli used to play in India’s T20I side, a move that could prove pivotal heading into the upcoming T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Irfan cited some of Tilak’s innings at No. 3 and No. 4 to justify his view.
“Tilak Varma has batted at No. 3 and No. 4. He has absorbed pressure and hit hundreds. Tilak also played an outstanding knock against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final and India wouldn’t have won if not for that innings. In that regard, Tilak has risen his stock exponentially. It’s the kind of role Virat Kohli used to play,” he said.
Tilak enjoyed a superb 2025, playing 20 T20Is and scoring 567 runs at an average of 47.25, including four half-centuries.
Irfan also praised Kohli’s match-winning knock in the final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, which helped India clinch their second title.
“Kohli is a massive player and whenever there was pressure, he used to absorb it exceptionally well. He didn’t score in the entire T20 World Cup but people trusted him to come good in the final. Kohli played a knock that wasn’t as fiery but given the situation, it was critical. You wanted a player to be at the crease and score runs so that the Indian bowlers get that margin to take the game deep. They eventually got it. No doubt, the bowling deserves plenty of credit but that innings from Kohli came at the right time,” he added.
However, Tilak recently underwent a testicular surgery in Rajkot and is set to miss the first three T20Is of the upcoming home series against New Zealand. According to a statement released by the BCCI, he is recovering well but his return for the final two matches will depend on his progress during the return-to-training and skill phases.
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