India batter Tilak Varma has said the team has fully embraced a flexible batting approach in T20 internationals, stressing that players are prepared to adapt their positions based on match situations rather than fixed roles.
The comments come after India’s 51-run defeat to South Africa in the second T20I at Mullanpur on December 11, where Axar Patel was promoted to No. 3. Axar scored 21 off 21 balls as India fell short while chasing a steep target of 214, getting bowled out for 162 in 19.1 overs. The loss allowed South Africa to level the five-match series 1–1 and triggered criticism of head coach Gautam Gambhir for tinkering with the batting order.
Speaking ahead of the third T20I in Dharamsala on Sunday, Tilak, who scored a fighting 62 off 34 balls in the defeat, backed Gambhir’s approach. He said the team management has made it clear that, apart from the openers, the rest of the batting order will remain fluid.
“Absolutely, everyone is flexible except the openers. I’m ready to bat at No. 3, 4, 5 or 6 — wherever the team wants me,” Tilak said at the pre-match press conference. “Everyone knows the batting order is flexible.”
Tilak also defended Axar Patel’s promotion, pointing to the all-rounder’s success when sent up the order during the Men’s T20 World Cup final against South Africa last year. Axar had scored a crucial 47 off 31 balls after being promoted to No. 5 in the summit clash in Bridgetown, Barbados.
“It always depends on the situation,” Tilak explained. “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 moment, whatever feels best for the team, everyone puts the team first. No one is thinking about individual positions.”
India will aim to bounce back and regain the series lead in Dharamsala, a venue where they hold a 2–1 overall T20I record, including two wins over Sri Lanka in 2022. Their only previous T20I defeat against South Africa at the ground came in 2015, while the 2019 encounter between the sides was abandoned.
