Young batsman Tilak Verma has spoken openly about the batting strategies of captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir ahead of the third T20 match against South Africa. Verma said the players are united in putting the needs of the team above individual priorities, adding that he is ready to bat anywhere.
The Men in Blue are being criticized for constantly changing the batting order in T20Is. Axar Patel was unexpectedly promoted to No. 3 during the second T20I against South Africa in New Chandigarh. However, the move backfired as he could only score 21 runs in 21 balls while chasing the target of 214.
Everyone is flexible except the opening batsmen – Tilak Verma
However, Tilak Verma defended India’s decision to shuffle the batting order. Verma said that he is ready to bat anywhere from No. 3 to No. 6 if needed.
“Of course, everyone is flexible except the openers. I am ready to bat at No. 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherever the team wants me. Everyone knows the batting order is flexible,” Verma said (via India Today).
Verma came to the crease at number five and scored 62 runs in just 34 balls, which included five sixes and two fours. At number 3, he has scored 443 runs at a strike rate of 169.73, which includes two half-centuries and two centuries.
However, he has struggled while batting at number 4, where he has scored 490 runs at a strike rate of 128.60 with two fifties. At number 5, he has added 110 runs at a strike rate of 144.73 with one half-century.
I have said that I am ready to bat anywhere for the team – Tilak Verma
Tilak Verma cited Axar Patel’s crucial inning of 47 runs in last year’s T20 World Cup final. Verma said that apart from the openers, every batsman is ready to change roles depending on the demand of the situation.
“It depends on the situation. You have already seen it with Axar Patel in the World Cup – he moved up the order and did well. There are one-off games. At that time, whatever feels best for the team, everyone puts the team first. Nobody thinks about the individual situation. I have said that I am ready to bat anywhere for the team, and all the players are also thinking the same way,” said Tilak Verma.
I have told this to all the batsmen – Suryakumar Yadav
After the T20I opener, Suryakumar Yadav made it clear that India’s middle order will not follow a fixed pattern in T20Is. He said that one should be ready to step up from No. 3 to No. 6, as the team wants players who can handle different roles depending on the match situation.
“From 3-6, anywhere. I have said this to all the batsmen: Apart from the openers, everyone has to be flexible. Both are there in the scheme of things. It is always good to have both part of the team. One can open, one can bat lower down the order. Both can play all roles. It is an asset to our team and a good headache.”
India and South Africa will enter the third T20 match with the series tied at 1-1. Suryakumar Yadav’s team won the first match by 101 runs. The third T20 match will be held on Sunday, December 14 in Dharamshala, where India had lost its only T20 match against South Africa in 2015.
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