Young Indian batsman Tilak Verma has responded to the criticism regarding his strike rate in T20I cricket after the disappointing tour of Ireland and England. The left-handed batsman admitted that being appointed India’s vice-captain brought with it additional responsibility, adding that his role often required him to bat according to the team’s situation rather than playing aggressively from the start.
Tilak Verma, who was made Shreyas Iyer’s deputy, said he is ready to adapt his approach depending on the match situation and the expectations of the team management.
Tilak Verma flopped miserably on Ireland and England tours!
Despite registering two half-centuries, Tilak Verma faced a disappointing tour of the United Kingdom. The left-handed batsman scored 178 runs at an average of 25.42 in seven T20 matches against Ireland and England.
His best score came in the second T20I against Ireland in Belfast, where he scored 55 runs from 46 balls. He later scored 53 runs from 25 balls in the final T20I against England in Southampton.
However, Tilak consistently failed to convert his start. His scores throughout the tour were 19, 55, 13, 24, 3, 11 and 53*, drawing criticism for his strike rate and inability to dominate spin during the middle overs.
India struggled collectively during the tour, losing the T20I series 2–0 to Ireland before suffering a 4–0 defeat against England. Shreyas Iyer’s team would now like to make a comeback in the upcoming three-match T20 series against Zimbabwe.
“I am playing for the country, so there are a lot of responsibilities” – Tilak Verma
Tilak Verma faced a lot of criticism throughout the UK tour, with many questioning his strike rate and approach in the middle overs. Addressing the issue ahead of the first T20I against Zimbabwe, the left-handed batsman said he always puts the needs of the team before individual achievements.
“In this game, you have to bat at different positions, and especially in such conditions, it is not easy. Also, I always say whatever is required for the team I do. If I have to grind it out and play for the team, I do. If I have to hit the ball number one, I do that. So at that time, in team conditions, if you look at it, from Ireland to England, you have the powerplay or the first 10 overs. There were always four to five wickets falling inside,” Tilak told reporters in the pre-match press conference.
He said that taking unnecessary risks just to improve the strike rate will not benefit the team.
“So to go there and then get out trying to accelerate, it doesn’t make sense. So I always have in my mind that I can go and hit the first ball. But at the same time, I am playing for the country, so there are a lot of responsibilities. So what are the conditions of the team? If I have to play for the team till the end, our team’s plans keep changing. When you are the vice-captain, the team gives you something after thinking. So I want the management to do that. He gives me responsibility, I take the same responsibilities, so I am playing accordingly.
Recently, Aakash Chopra questioned Washington Sundar’s ODI role and supported Tilak Verma instead
“Honestly, it’s been a big learning experience since the last series” – Tilak Verma on India’s defeat
Reflecting on India’s disappointing tour, Tilak Verma described the defeats against Ireland and England as valuable learning experiences and said the team is completely focused on starting afresh against Zimbabwe.
“Honestly, it’s been a big learning experience since the last series. We’re just looking forward, sticking to our basics and doing well in the upcoming series.”
“Obviously, if you look at everyone having played enough domestic cricket and the A-series just before this, they are ready to play the series, and this is absolutely different, it’s exactly the same thing, but just a bigger stage.
India will begin their three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe on July 23, with Shreyas Iyer leading Tilak Verma as the vice-captain as the visitors will aim to register their first T20I series win of the season.
