Unveiling Tilak Varma: The Art of Resilience in T20 Cricket

CricketPandit

A 55-ball 72* at a strike rate of 130.91 might not seem remarkable at first glance. However, the numbers alone don’t capture the entire picture. Since his T20I debut in August 2023, Tilak Varma has batted beyond 50 deliveries only twice in his 22-match career, with the game against England in Chennai marking the second instance. He boasts a career strike rate of over 150, and in the six occasions where he has scored 40 or more, Tilak has maintained a strike rate exceeding 190 on three of those occasions.

His batting isn’t solely about powerful hits and clever shot selection; he also knows how to take a more measured approach when necessary. This aspect of his game was evident during his match-winning innings against England at Chepauk, which was pivotal in helping India secure a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20I series.

The match was a see-saw battle. India’s spinners once again posed problems for the England batters, but the middle order, led by Brydon Carse and Jamie Smith, managed to post a competitive total of 165. In response, Abhishek Sharma provided India with a fiery start, smashing three fours in the opening over off Jofra Archer. However, England’s new-ball pair of Archer and Mark Wood struck back, dismissing both openers and shifting the momentum.

India then mounted a strong recovery. Tilak began aggressively, racing to 25 off just 12 balls with audacious strokeplay, including two sixes off Jofra Archer and another off Brydon Carse, all over fine leg. Surya kumar Yadav also appeared in good form, hitting three boundaries during the powerplay. But the momentum shifted once more as England’s pacers took charge. Carse bowled Surya kumar with a quick delivery and had Dhruv Jurel caught at midwicket. Hardik Pandya’s attempt to cut a short ball from Jamie Overton ended in an edge to the ‘keeper, leaving India struggling at 78/5 in the 10th over.

Tilak, who had been scoring at an impressive rate of 173.33 by the end of the powerplay, had to temper his aggression as wickets fell around him and his teammates struggled to form partnerships. He reached 34 off 25 balls by the halfway point and 47 off 37 by the 15th over. Washington Sundar’s 26 off 19 in a 38-run partnership with Tilak briefly rekindled India’s hopes, but England regained control by dismissing both Washington and Axar Patel, leaving India at 126/7.

Tilak’s innings saw several shifts in tempo. After a fiery start, he slowed down during the middle overs and took on a supporting role alongside Washington, who hit three fours and a six after a shaky beginning. However, once he was left with just the tail and India needed 40 runs in the last five overs, Tilak accelerated again. His aggressive hitting against Archer was a standout moment as he launched two more sixes off the star pacer, who ended up with his most expensive T20 figures of 1-60, with 30 of those runs coming from Tilak’s bat alone.

With 20 runs needed off 18 balls and Arshdeep Singh back in the pavilion, Tilak found himself batting with Ravi Bishnoi and returned to a more cautious approach to bring the team closer to victory. In the closing overs, Tilak concentrated on quick running and ensuring he faced as many balls as possible, although Bishnoi contributed with a couple of vital boundaries. Needing six runs in the final over, Tilak, now on strike, took a couple of singles before driving an Overton delivery past cover for a match-winning boundary. He took off his helmet and reveled in the celebrations, soaking in the cheers from the crowd of 32,000.

Whether it was utilizing the bowlers’ pace to execute his shots, cleverly rotating the strike to keep the scoreboard moving, or calmly managing the pressure in a nail-biting finish, Tilak showcased impressive maturity. He also demonstrated that he is far from one-dimensional, showing the ability to adapt to various situations and adjust his game accordingly. Carse, whose all-round efforts went in vain, recognized Tilak’s maturity as the key difference-maker in the game. “It was obviously a great game. The atmosphere out there was incredible. From a team perspective, given the position we were in, I felt we posted a decent score towards the end, and we kept taking wickets throughout the match, which was the plan. But credit goes to Tilak. He played a very mature and smart innings, and ultimately, he was the difference for their side.”

Reflecting on his performance, the 22-year-old Tilak said: “Today’s wicket was double-paced and quite challenging. Wickets were falling continuously. I was focused on batting till the end, showing intent, and looking for gaps. I know I can play both ways. I can maintain a good strike rate or play at a run-rate of 6 or 7 an over.”

“I discussed this with Gautam [Gambhir] sir in the last match. He mentioned that you can play with a strike rate over 10 or below 10 as needed. When the team requires it, you should be flexible… In this game, I had the chance to prove that. I committed to playing till the end. Gautam sir also emphasized during the drinks break, ‘Now is the time to show everyone that you can play both types of innings.’ So I decided that no matter what, I would stay till the end and finish the game.”

And finish the game he did, quite efficiently. Tilak Varma’s performance was a testament to his versatility and composure under pressure. His innings not only led India to a hard-fought victory but also highlighted his ability to adapt to various challenges. Bishnoi, after the match, called it one of Tilak’s best T20 innings, while Surya kumar noted it was a lesson for everyone. For Tilak, he simply stated he’s “ready to do what the team needs.”