Tilak Varma Opens Up on Batting Role as India Vice-Captain

Tilak Varma loves batting at No. 3; once, in South Africa two years ago, he asked his captain, Suryakumar Yadav, to bat at No. 3, saying he could play there easily. Suryakumar Yadav gave him a chance in the game to bat from there.

Tilak Varma no longer bats at No. 3; as vice-captain of the India team, he now plays at No. 5 and sometimes at No. 6.

Speaking on the eve of the fourth T20I against the West Indies, the left-handed batter explained why he enjoys batting at No. 3.

"I love batting at the No. 3 role. I have said that a couple of times. At No. 3, you have the chance to bat in the powerplay when only two fielders are outside the 30-yard circle. So you can swing freely. So every player enjoys that role,” saying that on the eve of the fourth T20I match against West Indies.

He added, "But anything the team needs, I want to help with the situation. Right now, my role is to handle that center phase, from No. 5, 6, 7. If we lose early wickets, then I can take some time and take the game deep. If our top three bat till the 14th or 15th over, then I also know how to get going from the first ball.

My coach has taught me since I was little that no matter what position you play, nothing beats winning the match for your team. So I always put in more effort. And after that, I look at the conditions, which bowler I can go after, and which shots I can play on that wicket."