Tilak Varma Under Pressure Ahead of T20 World Cup Clash Against Zimbabwe

As India gears up for a vital T20 World Cup clash against Zimbabwe, Tilak Varma's performance has come under intense scrutiny following a disappointing loss to South Africa. With his role at No. 3 being questioned, former cricketer Mohammad Kaif emphasizes the need for Varma to embrace his natural game and emulate the anchoring style of Virat Kohli. With India's chances of qualifying for the semifinals hanging in the balance, Varma's ability to stabilize the innings will be crucial in the upcoming match. Will he rise to the occasion and deliver when it matters most?

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 25, 2026, 13:34 IST

India's T20 World Cup Challenge

As India prepares for a pivotal Super 8 match against Zimbabwe in Chennai for the T20 World Cup 2026, the performance of left-handed batter Tilak Varma has come under scrutiny. Following a significant 76-run loss to South Africa, the Indian team's net run rate has dropped to -3.888, complicating their path to the semifinals.

Concerns Over Batting Performance

In light of the disappointing performance against South Africa, several Indian players are facing criticism. While Abhishek Sharma has struggled at the top of the order, Tilak Varma's position at No. 3 has also been questioned after his early exit during India's chase of 188 runs in the first Super 8 match.

Tilak Varma's Inconsistent Scores

Despite being tasked with stabilizing the innings, Varma has not been able to convert his starts into significant contributions, with scores of 25, 25, 25, 31, and 1, totaling 107 runs across five matches at a strike rate of 118.88. This highlights his struggle to transform promising starts into match-winning performances.

The Role of Virat Kohli

Given his inconsistent form, questions have arisen regarding Tilak Varma's place in the playing XI. He has taken on the No. 3 position, previously held by Virat Kohli, who retired from T20Is after India's 2024 World Cup victory. Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif emphasized that Varma should focus on his natural game and emulate Kohli's anchoring style instead of succumbing to pressure for quick runs.

Advice from Mohammad Kaif

Kaif remarked, "Tilak Varma has his own style of play and can afford a slower strike rate. However, he got out attempting a big shot under pressure. It's crucial for management to remind players to adhere to their roles. He should embody Kohli's approach, rather than deviating from his gameplay due to external pressures."

Analyzing India's Loss to South Africa

In the Super 8 match against South Africa, India faced a collapse at 26/3 during their chase of 188 runs, underscoring the absence of a steadying presence like Kohli. Varma's inability to consolidate contributed to a middle-order collapse, further jeopardizing India's chances.

The Importance of Anchoring the Innings

Kaif further questioned Varma's role, suggesting that one player should take on the responsibility of anchoring the innings rather than playing aggressively from the start. He stated, "To master chasing, one must bat until the 20th over. Varma's early dismissal while trying to hit raises questions about his role."

Tilak Varma's Recent Performance

Since 2025, Varma has scored 302 runs, including two fifties, with an average of 37.75 and a strike rate of 127.42 while batting at No. 3 in T20Is. However, his current strike rate in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 has not met expectations, raising concerns about his ability to balance aggression with the responsibility of anchoring the innings during high-pressure situations.

Looking Ahead to the Match Against Zimbabwe

As Team India aims to enhance their net run rate against Zimbabwe, Tilak Varma's performance will be crucial in providing stability to the middle order and anchoring the innings.