Tilak Varma is set to continue as India’s vice-captain for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. The left-handed batter will once again serve as deputy to newly-appointed captain Shreyas Iyer. The duo will be hoping to register their first series win after India endured disappointing tours of England and Ireland.
India’s three-year unbeaten T20I series streak came to an end after suffering back-to-back whitewashes in Ireland and England. The poor results put the team under pressure, with several players facing criticism for their performances. Tilak, in particular, came under the spotlight for his strike rate despite playing some important innings.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the opening T20I against Zimbabwe, Tilak defended his batting approach. He explained that his role changes depending on the match situation and team requirements. “You have to bat in different places, and especially in such conditions, it’s not easy. I always do whatever is required for the team,” Tilak said.
The 23-year-old added that attacking from the first ball is not always the right option. “If I have to grind it out and play for the team, I do. If I have to hit from ball number one, then I do that,” he said. Tilak pointed out that India often lost four or five wickets inside the powerplay during the Ireland and England tours, making it necessary for someone to stabilize the innings.
Tilak also said that being vice-captain comes with added responsibility. He believes his job is to read the conditions and play according to what the team needs rather than chase personal milestones. “I’m playing for the country, so there are a lot of responsibilities. I want to take the same responsibilities that the management gives me,” he added.
Despite the criticism, Tilak’s numbers tell a different story. During India’s victorious ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, he scored 207 runs in nine innings at an impressive strike rate of 154.47. Although his strike rate dropped to 110.44 in the Ireland series, he played a crucial knock of 55 from 46 balls after India were struggling at 35/4 in the deciding match.
Tilak also showed his attacking ability during the England series. He scored 104 runs in five innings at an average of 26 and maintained a healthy strike rate of 152.94. In the final T20I at Southampton, he smashed a brilliant 53 off just 25 deliveries, hitting three fours and four sixes to keep India in the contest.
India will now look to bounce back when they take on Zimbabwe in a three-match T20I series at the Harare Sports Club. The matches will be played from July 23 to July 26. Both Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma will be eager to start their leadership partnership with a series victory and silence the critics after a difficult start.