Virat Kohli's Departure Opens Door for Tilak Varma as India's New T20I No. 3
Kohli's Exit from T20I Squad
Virat Kohli, the former captain of Team India, will not be participating in the T20 World Cup 2026, having announced his retirement from T20 internationals after India's victory in the last tournament. His decision has paved the way for a new batting leader in the T20 format on the international stage.
Kohli's T20I Achievements
Throughout his T20I career, Kohli primarily occupied the No. 3 batting position, where he scored 3,076 runs, including 32 half-centuries, boasting an impressive average of 53.96 across 83 matches. This makes him the highest run-scorer at this position in T20Is. In total, he has accumulated 4,188 runs, featuring one century and 38 fifties, with an average of 48.69 in 125 T20I games.
Search for Kohli's Successor
In the wake of Kohli's retirement from T20Is, the management of Team India has experimented with seven different players, including Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, and Axar Patel. However, they have yet to find a consistent long-term replacement for Kohli at the No. 3 spot.
Irfan Pathan's Insights on Tilak Varma
As the search for a reliable No. 3 continues ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, former all-rounder and commentator Irfan Pathan has identified a promising young talent, Tilak Varma, as a potential successor to Kohli in this critical batting role.
On his YouTube channel, Pathan highlighted Varma's ability to perform under pressure, referencing his match-winning performance against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025, which mirrors Kohli's role in high-stakes situations.
Tilak Varma's Performance Under Pressure
Pathan remarked, "Tilak Varma has batted at both No. 3 and No. 4, demonstrating his capacity to handle pressure and score centuries. His remarkable innings against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final was crucial for India's victory."
In that match, India found themselves struggling at 20/3, but Varma's unbeaten 69 off 53 balls was instrumental in chasing down a target of 147 runs, solidifying his reputation as a reliable middle-order batsman.
Comparing Tilak Varma to Virat Kohli
Pathan drew parallels between Varma and Kohli, noting that while Kohli never scored a century in T20 World Cups, he was always relied upon in critical moments. He stated, "Kohli may not have scored heavily in T20 World Cups, but he was trusted to perform when it mattered most. Similarly, Tilak Varma showcased his ability to execute a game plan under pressure during the final."
Tilak Varma's T20I Statistics
At the No. 3 position, Varma has scored 542 runs, including two centuries and three fifties, with an impressive average of 60.22 in 16 T20I matches. Additionally, while batting at No. 4, he has accumulated 490 runs, including two fifties, averaging 54.44 in 16 matches. These statistics underline his capability to take on responsibility and deliver match-winning performances.
Currently, Tilak Varma is recovering from an abdominal injury following surgery and will miss the first three T20Is in the upcoming five-match series against New Zealand.