“Everyone is flexible except the openers” - Tilak Varma opens up on Team India’s strategy in T20Is

Indian in-form batter Tilak Varma has disclosed that everyone in the Indian batting order should be flexible apart from the opening duo of Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.

Speaking in the pre-match press conference ahead of the third T20I against South Africa in Dharamsala, Tilak stated that he is ready to bat anywhere in the batting order as per the situation of the game.

“Absolutely, everyone is flexible except the openers. I’m ready to bat at No. 3, 4, 5, or 6, wherever the team wants me. Everyone knows the batting order is flexible,” Tilak Varma said in the pre-match press conference.

Additionally, Tilak Varma also backed the head coach Gautam Gambhir’s decision to send Axar Patel at No.3 in the second T20I, in which India suffered a defeat by 51 runs in Mullanpur. He went to add that Axar batted at No.5 and scored a 31-ball 47-run knock in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 final against South Africa.

“It depends on the situation. You’ve already seen this with Axar Patel in the World Cup; he went up the order and did well. One-off games happen. At that time, whatever feels best for the team, everyone keeps the team first. No one thinks about individual positions. I’ve said I’m ready to bat anywhere for the team, and all players are thinking the same way,” he added.

India will lock horns with South Africa in the third T20I of the five-match series, scheduled to be played in Dharamsala on Sunday, December 14.

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